Drew Brees has looked pretty awful so far this season for the Saints.  He has completed 54 of 85 passes (63.5%) for 452 yards with 1 TD pass and 3 interceptions (66.4 QB Rating) so far this season.  It’s not all Brees’ fault however as the Saints have fallen behind quickly and forced him into obvious passing situations.  Until the Saints start playing better defense they will be playing from behind often which will make it hard for Brees to succeed.

The Saints failed to show up Sunday and they got blasted again!  It’s one thing to get beat by the Colts on the road but if the Saints are again to be a playoff team they have to beat the bad teams on the road.  Drew Brees was much better Sunday against the Bucs than he was against the Colts.  He completed 26 of 44 passes for 260 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  The Saints running game never got going for the 2nd week in a row.  Deuce McAllister carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards (4.9 ypc).  Reggie Bush pitched in with 10 carries for 27 yards (2.7 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 43 yards (7.2 avg).  Fullback Mike Karney pitched in with 3 carries for 13 yards (4.3 ypc) with a TD run.  Marques Colston had a solid game for the Saints with 8 receptions for 70 yards (8.8 avg) with a TD catch.  David Patten also made 2 nice catches for 66 yards.  The Saints finished up with 99 yards rushing on 26 carries (3.8 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 44 passes for 244 yards.

The Saints defense was much better against the run as they held the Bucs to 87 yards rushing on 32 carries (2.7 ypc).  But, they once again couldn’t stop opposing receivers from making big plays as Joey Galloway caught 4 passes for 135 yards (33.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  The Bucs completed 10 of 16 passes for 243 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270916027

The New Orleans Saints are looking to rebound from the 41-10 beat down that the Colts applied to them on opening night.  The Bucs are also trying to get on the winning track as they were soundly beaten 20-6 last week in Seattle.  The Saints will likely try to get their running game going early against the Bucs.  Reggie Bush will likely challenge OLBs Derrick Brooks and Cato June on the edges of the defense and Deuce McCallister will take on Barrett Ruud on the inside.  The Bucs allowed 139 yards rushing on 34 carries (4.1 ypc) against the Seahawks last week so the Saints should find running room.  The Bucs will likely be without starting cornerback Brian Kelly so look for the Saints to try to stretch the defense with Brees throwing deep more this week to Marques Colston and Devery Henderson.  The safeties of the Bucs will also have to be sharp as TE Eric Johnson was the Saints leading receiver last week with 8 catches for 57 yards (7.1 avg).

The Bucs would really like to run the football this week but Cadillac Williams is doubtful with a rib injury.  That means Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham would likely have to carry the load in the running game.  Pittman is an underrated football player but he probably doesn’t strike fear in the Saints defense.  The Saints did allow 164 yards rushing on 29 carries (5.7 ypc) last week to the Colts but the Bucs don’t have Joseph Addai so the Saints aren’t likely too concerned about it.  QB Jeff Garcia will be looking to match up WR Joey Galloway against CB Jason David who allowed 3 TDs last week but the Saints will likely have a lot of help over the top against him. 

PREDICTION:  The Saints swept the Bucs last season by a combined score of 55-35 including a 31-14 beat down in Tampa.  The Bucs just have too many problems on offense to think they can deal with the Saints.  The Saints will win this football game by at least a TD.

The Saints have signed veteran DE Renaldo Wynn.  Wynn played in 15 games last season for the Redskins and he made 15 tackles.  Wynn has now played in 152 career games and he has made 240 tackles, has 21.5 sacks, forced 6 fumbles and defensed 3 passes.  He will serve as a backup to Will Smith and Charles Grant.

I know it’s a little too late to make this bet.  But if I could, I would take the over despite how awful they looked against the Colts last Thursday Night.  The defense will be better as it is hard to judge a team by how they play against Indianapolis.  Also, the Saints offense will be fine.