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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the NFC’s most consistent teams this season, that is until this past Monday night. A 24-9 road loss to the Detroit Lions served as a wake-up call for Baker Mayfield’s group. It exposed cracks in pass protection and tested their depth at receiver after Mike Evans went down with a broken collarbone. If there’s any team that could help Tampa rediscover its rhythm, though, it’s the New Orleans Saints.
The Buccaneers (5-2) travel to Caesars Superdome on Sunday for a divisional matchup with the Saints (1-6). Tampa Bay remains atop the NFC South standings. Meanwhile, New Orleans continues to spiral. They have struggled to find consistency on either side of the ball. The Saints’ latest loss, a 26-14 defeat to the Chicago Bears, highlighted their turnover woes and inability to finish drives. Now, the Saints face an uphill climb against one of the most complete rosters in the conference.
The Bucs’ offensive game plan will look different without Evans. However, that might be exactly what the team needs. They need a chance to diversify the attack. Expect tight end Cade Otton to see more targets. Meanwhile, Rachaad White could shoulder a heavier load against a Saints defense allowing over 126 rushing yards per game. For New Orleans, this game is less about playoff hopes and more about pride. They will try to avoid falling to 1-7 in front of their home crowd.
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Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Buccaneers and the Saints in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
Spencer Rattler has shown flashes of poise this season. Still, Week 7 was a major step backward. Against Chicago, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Four turnovers is a killer for any offense, especially one already struggling to sustain drives.
The Saints’ coaching staff has reiterated its support for Rattler. That said, patience is wearing thin. Facing a Tampa Bay defense known for its disguised pressures and opportunistic secondary will be another brutal test. The Buccaneers rank among the league’s top 10 in takeaways. Todd Bowles’ defense thrives on forcing mistakes from young quarterbacks. Rattler will commit at least two turnovers here, whether via interceptions or strip sacks. Tampa Bay’s defensive front will overwhelm New Orleans’ shaky offensive line.
Sure, New Orleans’ offense has been erratic. However, Juwan Johnson has been one of the few bright spots. The tight end hauled in five catches for 79 yards last week against Chicago. It was his best outing of the season. Johnson’s ability to find soft spots in coverage has made him a reliable safety valve for Rattler.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have struggled at times to...
