Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore among 6 matchups in Saints-Buccaneers

It’s going to get heated at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. Big battles are brewing at the line of scrimmage, in the second level of the defense, and deep downfield whenever each team has the ball. Critical matchups in each phase will determine this clash between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; if New Orleans falls behind like they did last week, a good team like the Buccaneers will put on the pressure to prevent another Saints comeback. Here are the one-on-one battles we’ll be watching closely:

1
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore vs. Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

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Let’s start with the heavyweight fight, or at least the one we’ll be paying closest attention to. Evans and Lattimore seem to genuinely dislike each other, and it’s easy to see why — the Buccaneers’ all-time leading receiver has averaged an impressive 76.2 yards per game in his pro career, but when lined up specifically against Lattimore he’s managed just 26.6 yards per game. They’ve had some great battles over the years, and if Evans can play through a new calf injury we should see the next exciting chapter in this feud.

2
Saints LB Pete Werner vs. Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Werner was consistently in the right place at the right time to make a tackle for the Saints in Week 1, and he’s got another tough challenge coming right at him in Fournette. Hopefully his teammates up front can do a better job against the beaten-up Tampa Bay offensive line to close the running lanes, because Werner’s got his work cut out for him in stopping Fournette once he’s up to speed. He’s an able defender at the second level, you just hope the big guys up front keep fewer plays from reaching him. It’s important Werner wins those matchups when they do get through the first line of defense.

3
Saints WR Michael Thomas vs. Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The last corner to get the better of Thomas when he was fully healthy, Davis has played up his rivalry with the Saints’ star receiver and appears eager to try him again. For his part, Thomas has been cleared on the injury report and now just needs to continue working on his surgically-repaired ankle so he can rebuild confidence in the joint. And…