Canal Street Chronicles
The New Orleans Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season. To break it down, Evan Wanish of Bucs Nation joins us to preview Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
NJ: While he may have struggled on Monday night against the Detroit Lions, Baker Mayfield has looked like an MVP-favorite for most of the season to this point. What’s the biggest improvement you’ve noticed from Baker since his arrival in Tampa Bay?
EW: With Baker Mayfield it’s all about confidence. I think he’s finally in a place that lets him be himself and that in turn as made him a more confident QB. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s not the only thing needed to be a good QB in today’s NFL, his decision making and accuracy has improved along with his ability to make people miss and extend the play.
Mayfield has exceeded all expectations I had of him since he arrived in Tampa.
NJ: As Tampa Bay deals with a banged-up receiving corps, who do you see stepping up in the passing game against New Orleans?
EW: Rookie receiver Tez Johnson has made an impact in each of the last two weeks. He has caught touchdowns in two straight games and has become a reliable target for Mayfield. Honestly, if Baker was a bit more accurate on Monday night, Johnson would have had another touchdown and a few more yards as well.
With Mike Evans being out for a bit and Chris Godwin still sidelined, Emeke Egbuka can’t do it all himself so Tampa Bay will be looking for the other rookie pass catcher to step up.
NJ: Through seven games, what would you say is Tampa Bay’s biggest weakness—and what should New Orleans look to exploit?
EW: Their biggest weakness has to be their linebacker core, specifically when they are asked to make plays in coverage. Tampa Bay has allowed the most receiving yards to running backs this season, giving up 441 receiving yards to backs so far this season.
If I’m New Orleans, I’m finding ways to get Alvin Kamara out in space and let him go to work against these linebackers.
NJ: Who’s one under-the-radar Buccaneers player that’s stood out this season and could be a difference-maker against the Saints?
EW: Rookie corner Jacob Parrish has been not just one of the best rookie corners in the league, but he’s been one of the best nickel corners in the NFL period. He’s been really good for the Bucs defense and he seems to be getting better each week. He doesn’t have an interception yet, but he’s not too far off from grabbing one.
NJ: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Buccaneers (-220) are currently 4.5-point favorites over the Saints (+180) in Sunday’s matchup; what is your final score prediction?
EW: I think this line is pretty fair. Despite New Orleans’ record, they are a feisty team who doesn’t go down easy as they have multiple games lost this season...
