NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND PREVIEW: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

BY ADAM GREENE

They’ve picked this to be our last game of the NFL’s Divisional Round for a reason as it could stand as the curtain call for one or two first ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterbacks. Tom Brady brings his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Big Easy to face off against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in what could literally be a loser leaves town match.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-3, O/U: 52)

Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Kickoff: Jan. 17, 6:40 p.m. EST

Broadcast: FOX

THE HISTORY

Since 2002 the Bucs and Saints have both been in the NFC South and that’s made this a solid rivalry even before Brady took his talents to one of the strip club capitals of the world. This will be their 59^th match up with New Orleans holding a 37-21 advantage in the all time series. The Saints have won five straight over Tampa Bay, including a season sweep this year.

Their last game was ugly, with NOLA obliterating the Buccaneers 38-3. The game wasn’t even that close as the Saints took a 31-0 lead into halftime. Drew Bres threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns with no picks. Tom Brady was good for 209 yards and three interceptions. Tampa Bay rushed for a grand total of eight yards in the game.

This is the first time the teams have met in the playoffs.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (12-5)

Last week the Buccaneers won as expected against the Washington Football Team, 31-23, but it wasn’t the beat down most expected. Brady continued his outrageous recent tear throwing for 381 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Leonard Fournette rushed for 93 yards and a score and Mike Evans hauled in six passes for 119 yards. The defense sacked Taylor Heinicke twice and picked him off once.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-4)

The Saints advance thanks to a 21-9 victory over the Chicago Bears in the Super Wild Card round in a game more famous for being broadcast on Nickelodeon, complete with slime graphics, than for its actual enjoyment. Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Alvin Kamara rushed for 99 and a score. Deonte Harris, who has been invisible all year, caught seven passes for 83 yards.

THE PICK

This line is all about perception and the way Brady has been playing over the last month, because the two games these teams played in the regular season were downright laughers. Tampa was barely in the first one, a 34-23 Saints win, and might as well have stayed on the bus in the second. The only thing different here is it’s the playoffs and New Orleans is healthier. Tompa Brady has played three elite defenses this season (Saints twice, Bears and Rams) and lost every game. I think the same thing is happening here. Saints 27, Bucs 17

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 3-3

Against the spread: 1-5

SEASON

Straight up: 173-88-1

Against the spread: 132-130

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