Finally! We have football. It’s going to look different, and while some my be put out by the social justice movement that has penetrated sports...I’ll still take it!
The New Orleans Saints open the season against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3:25 in the Superdome. Tampa is in full blown Brady hysteria right now. There is more public money in Vegas on the Bucs to win it all than the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. That’s a ton of hype.
Alright, let’s dive inside the matchups and find out who has the advantages.
SAINTS OFFENSIVE LINE vs BUCCANEERS DEFENSIVE LINE:
Tampa’s defensive line features some salty talent. The big guy in the middle is Vita Vea; he’s a mountain of a man who is going to be tough to move in the running game. Last year the Bucs featured the league’s best defense against the run. The league’s leading sack artist also resides in Tampa. Shaq Barrett logged 19 sacks last season. But check this out, in two games against the Saints he was shut out.
The Saints offensive line is arguably the best in football. You will be hard pressed to find a tackle tandem that rivals Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk. Guard Andrus Peat had a complete body makeover and looks like a brand new man. He’s looked fantastic in camp. Erik McCoy enters his second season, after playing like a veteran in his rookie season a year ago. This year’s first round draft pick, center Ceasar Ruiz, looked really solid in camp, until the injury bug bit. He’s dealing with an ankle injury and might not play this week. In that case, veteran Nick Easton would slide in at right guard. Easton played well in spot duty at both guard positions last year. By and large, I give the Saints a slight edge in this matchup because of the two tackles.
BUCS OFFENSIVE LINE vs SAINTS DEFENSIVE LINE:
Defensive end Cameron Jordan has to be licking his chops at the prospect of facing rookie right tackle Tristan Wherfs, who’s making his first NFL start at right tackle. Jordan will likely see double teams nearly all day. Defensive tackle David Onyemata could have a big game, if Jordan gets doubled all day. DT Sheldon Rankins is rounding into form, after missing time last season with an injury. Rankins hasn’t played a full season since entering the league in 2016.
“If he’s healthy this season, Rankins is going to put that defensive line on another level. Imagine what this D-line would’ve been like over the last three seasons with Rankins fully healthy,” Bobby Hebert pointed out. This matchup clearly tilts in favor of the Saints. “Tom Brady is a statue; our pass rush should feast on that. You know where he’s going to be,” the Cajun Cannon said.
TOM BRADY & SKILL POSITION PLAYERS vs SAINTS LB’S & DB’S:
The over and under on this game is 48 points. I guess oddsmakers are taking Covid19 restrictions into account, and anticipate a lower scoring game. The Saints boast the best secondary in the Sean Payton era on paper. CB Marshon Lattimore really gets up for matchups against the opposing team’s best weapon. That weapon for Tampa Bay is WR Mike Evans. I expect Lattimore to be assigned to Evans for the entire game. He’s shut him down in the past, but Evans didn’t have Brady throwing him the ball.
Tampa really loaded up on offense this year, when TB12 signed on with the team. TE Rob Gronkowski is out of retirement, and healthy. I would expect the Saints to pick their spots and double Gronk when they can. Saints LB Alex Anzalone might be matched up with him from time t time. WR Chris Godwin figures to be Janoris Jenkins’ assignment. Add in RB’s Leonard Fournette and Shady McCoy and it’s clear…this is going to be an all-day sucker for the Saints defense. I would call this advantage a draw.
BREES & COMPANY vs TAMPA’S LB’S & DB’S:
This is the soft spot for Tampa’s defense. They drafted CB Antoine Winfield Jr. this off-season. A rookie on Mike Thomas? Yea, not ideal. The Bucs simply don’t have anyone in their secondary who can slow down Mike Thomas. Consider they might double him, and Emmanuel Sanders could go nuts in this game.
At linebacker, Tampa has some options, when it comes to guarding RB Alvin Kamara out of the back field or TE Jared Cook down the field. Former LSU LB Devon White is finally healthy; teamed with veteran Kwon Alexander could be problematic for the Saints passing game. With no real answer for the Saints passing game, this is clearly where the Krewe du Drew offense holds a decided edge.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Tampa’s special teams is nothing to write home about; they are no where near the level of the Saints. Advantage New Orleans. Oh, by the way, remember last season against Tampa Bay? Taysom Hill blocked a punt. That kick started the Saints blowout win over the hapless Bucs.
COACH PAYTON vs COACH ARIANS:
Do I really need to break this one down? You know who has the advantage.
