Saints 2023 Week 4 Preview
New Orleans Saints face foe Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Dome Sweet Dome
New Orleans returns home with a 2-1 record after falling to Green Bay 18-17. The Saints led after three quarters 17-0, but injuries and a defensive collapse allowed the Packers to come back and claim the Week 3 victory. The Saints will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next in a crucial divisional matchup this season. The previously unbeaten Bucs will be coming into this one following a 25-11 loss to the Eagles as part of last week’s Monday Night Football slate.
The Matchup:
This contest will provide more insight into both squads’ potential for 2023. As the NFC South sits, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay all have 2-1 records. A pivotal game will give one side a leapfrog over the others early in the year. With both groups coming off their first defeat, I’ll look for how each responds and who can hit the ground running in Week 4. The Saints will host from the Caesars Superdome on October 1, 2023, at noon CST, broadcasted on FOX.
Series History:
The Saints and Buccaneers will duke it out for the 64th time in the contest’s history. Although the Bucs trail in the all-time series 39-24, they possess the lone postseason victory between the two. Adding Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay roster in 2020 has increased the heat in the rivalry as of late, and it is still burning today. The Saints swept the regular season in 2021 before the Bucs answered by doing the same during the 2022 campaign. The most recent matchup saw the Saints fall versus Tampa Bay in December of last season by a score of 17-16.
Team Rankings Comparison:
| Rank (Week 3) | Saints | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-1 (2nd NFC South) | 2-1 (3rd NFC South) |
| Scoring Avg. | 17.7 (25) | 19.3 (19) |
| Opp. Scoring Avg. | 16.7 (6) | 19.7 (11) |
| Total Off. | 314.7 (20) | 284.3 (25) |
| Rushing Off. | 93.3 (21) | 78.0 (27) |
| Passing Off. | 221.3 (15) | 206.3 (20) |
| Total Def. | 288.0 (9) | 359.0 (22) |
| Rushing Def. | 99.7 (10) | 103.0 (12) |
| Passing Def. | 188.3 (8) | 256.0 (24) |
| Turnover Margin | +2 (14) | +5 (2) |
| Penalties | 17 (22) | 14 (30) |
| Penalty Yards | 179 (13) | 93 (31) |
Current Injury Report:
Saints-
Jordan Howden, S, Probable, Finger
Derek Carr, QB, Week-to-Week, Shoulder
Foster Moreau, TE, Questionable, Ankle
Paulson Adebo, CB, Questionable, Hamstring
Cesar Ruiz, C, Questionable, Concussion
Jamaal Williams, RB, IR, Hamstring
Jake Haener, QB, Suspended
Marcus Maye, S, Suspended
Packers-
Carlton Davis, CB, Questionable, Toe
Jamel Dean, CB, Questionable, Shoulder/Neck
SirVocea Dennis, LB, Questionable, Hamstring
Calijah Kancey, DT, Questionable, Calf
Derrek Pitts, CB, Questionable, Hamstring
Vita Vea, DT, Questionable, Pectoral
Devin White, LB, Questionable, Foot
Final Thoughts/Prediction:
Thanos correctly vowed, “A soul for a soul.” All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara is rejoining the Saints after serving a 3-game suspension to begin the season. Kamara returns hoping to breathe some much-needed life into a struggling New Orleans offense that could be without quarterback Derek Carr for an unknown length of time. Carr is nursing an AC joint sprain sustained against the Packers. Jameis Winston could step in as the starter this week if need be. The Saints have had the Buccaneers’ number recently; Marshon Lattimore is a big reason to thank for that with his lockdown coverage against Mike Evans. It will be a defensive battle, but I think the Saints’ talent is slightly better. I expect a heavy ground attack with Kamara, Miller, and Jones Jr. carrying splits. There is confidence in Winston being your backup, but questions surround how efficient he can be. I’ll take the Saints in a close 20-16 win.
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