The Bucs are free-falling and the Saints have risen from the grave.
The Saints defense is allowing 4.6 yards per carry and is vulnerable to the the running game. RB Cadillac Williams (42 carries, 107 yards) must have a good game to take the pressure off of rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski had a good pre-season, but he did well against a bunch of guys that aren’t NFL players anymore. Look for Gradkowski to throw alot of short passes in his first NFL start to Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton.
The Saints should be able to run the ball well against the Bucs, who have allowed 170.0 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry! RBs Deuce McAllister (257 rushing yards) and Reggie Bush (147 rushing yards) will probably split alot of carries on Sunday. Teams have been very efficient passing against the Bucs and Drew Brees (1,063 yards passing) should have little problem passing against them. Rookie WR Marques Colston (20 rec, 336 yards) has been the best offensive rookie of the Saints, and will use his tight-end size to bully the Bucs DBs. WR Joe Horn (15 catches, 223 yards) and RB Reggie Bush (23 rec, 187 yards) should also have good games.
The Saints should have no problem stopping the Bucs offense, and should be able to move the ball well against the Bucs. Look for the Saints to win by at least 10 points on Sunday.