Canal Street Chronicles
Big matchups against the NFC South favorite.
Every year, games between division rivals can create lasting memories for fans throughout the league. The NFC South has had many of those moments, and with how close in talent these teams are this year, this should be the case in 2025. Here, we will focus on the weeks when the New Orleans Saints face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Last season, the Buccaneers won the NFC South, and this marks their 4th in a row. Compared to many other teams in the division, Tampa Bay has been the most consistent and solid team, but this could change in 2025. The Falcons feel they have found their QB of the future and have worked to rebuild the defense; the Panthers are hoping to build on a positive end to the 2024 season, and the Saints are entering a whole new era of football that has brought some new positivity to a struggling team. The Buccaneers needed to have a really good offseason to stay the favorites in the division.
Here are some of the notable additions to the roster and players the Buccaneers brought back:
One of the best things Tampa Bay did this offseason was keep talent that had potential to leave in free agency, in particular bringing back Chris Godwin. Although injuries have an issue, Godwin has been a vital piece to the Buccaneers consistent success in recent years and losing him would have been a massive hit to the offense. In free agency, the Buccaneers also went out and brought in Haason Reddick, who just two seasons ago had 11 sacks and was a dominate edge rusher for the Eagles. Last season, Reddick was in a contract dispute with the New York Jets, so his play on the field was really inconsistent and he never found his footing on the defense. In the draft, Tampa Bay further strengthened their wide reciever room by selecting Emeka Egbuka in the first round and attacked one of their positions of need by drafting Benjamin Morrison on day 2. Still, with all of great moves by done the team, one notable loss sticks out, and it is on the coaching staff.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen was the architect of the Buccaneers offense last season, but with his departure from the team to take over as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay’s offense could take a step back next season. Looking at the roster, the team’s offense improved on paper, but how the team does without Coen’s offensive influence is going to be a big question going into the season.
Looking at both of these games in the perspective of how the Saints could win, it really goes down to Tampa Bay’s offense against New Orleans’ defense. The Saints’ offense should be able to hold their own in...
