The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are done licking their wounds and are ready to move on from their Week 5 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime. Some cock management and defensive issues made that game closer than it ever should have been. Despite those issues, the coaching staff and the team recognized the issues and are now ready to move onto Week 6.
Waiting for them will be an explosive Saints offense that is going to be without their starting quarterback, Derek Carr.
Rookie Spencer Rattler is expected to start in his place, which could either be the best or worst thing possible for the Bucs’ secondary. They just gave up over 500 passing yards to Kirk Cousins; they can’t afford to give up even half of that to a rookie quarterback in his first start.
This leads us to the five players we are watching heading into this matchup on Sunday.
Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Lavonte David has been on a roll in recent weeks, including having an interception in two straight weeks. He is getting in the backfield more and disrupting opposing offenses’ passing and rushing attacks. Going against a rookie quarterback, it would be wise to unleash him if you are Todd Bowles, go for a third straight game with an interception, and add to that sack total on the year.
Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Bucky Irving averages just over 10 touches a game but nearly six yards per touch. Despite that number, the team refuses to commit to him becoming more meaningful in this offense and it has to change. Look for Irving to make a splash against a potentially weak Saints defense that could be susceptible to such a thing.
Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) runs out of the tunnel during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Zyon McCollum needs a bounce-back week, plain and simple. Going against a rookie quarterback is the perfect recipe for him to come in and make a splash. Force a turnover, shut…
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