Saints-Buccaneers scouting report
WHEN: Noon Sunday.
WHERE: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV/RADIO: Fox/WTGE-FM, 100.7, WWL-AM-870.
RECORDS: Bucs, 2-3; Saints: 1-4.
LAST WEEK: Bucs defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-10; Saints had a bye.
COACHES: Bucs, Greg Schiano, 1st season (2-3); Saints, Aaron Kromer, 1st season (1-4)
NFL RANKINGS
O ffense (league rank in parentheses)
Points: Bucs, 20.2 (12); Saints, 28.2 (8)
Total yards: Bucs, 313.4 (27); Saints, 402.0 (4)
Rushing: Bucs, 101.8 (17); Saints, 75.2 (30)
Passing: Bucs, 211.6 (25); Saints, 326.8 (1)
Defense (league rank in parentheses)
Points: Bucs, 20.2 (12); Saints, 30.8 (30)
Total yards: Bucs, 387.2 (25); Saints, 456.0 (32)
Rushing: Bucs, 75.0 (4); Saints, 172.8 (31)
Passing: Bucs, 312.2 (31); Saints, 283.2 (26)
KEY PLAYERS
Bucs: QB Josh Freeman, WR Vincent Jackson, G Carl Nicks, FS Ronde Barber, DE Michael Bennett, K Connor Barth.
Saints: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, MLB Curtis Lofton, DE Cameron Jordan, SS Roman Harper.
BUCS SCOUTING REPORT
Offense: The Bucs rank 27th in total offense, but they’re coming off two solid games in which they piled up 373 and 463 yards. They have struggled throwing it with Josh Freeman hitting on just 55.2 percent of his passes. He does have two viable weapons in wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams to help a running game that hasn’t developed yet.
Defense: Saints quarterback Drew Brees will likely be licking his chops watching film this week as the Bucs’ defense ranks 25th overall and 31st against the pass in allowing 312.2 yards per game. Eli Manning shredded the Bucs for 510 yards in a Week 2 win and Brees, who’s had some big games against the Bucs, could be looking to light them up again.
Special teams: Kicker Connor Barth has been solid in connecting on 11 of 12 field-goal attempts so far this season. He’s 3 of 4 from 50 yards and out, hitting from 50, 52 and 57 yards with the only miss a 55-yarder that struck the upright. Punter Mike Koenen has a 44.3 gross average, while dropping 12 punts inside the 20.
BUCS FACTS
Guard Carl Nicks, who played four seasons with the Saints before signing with the Bucs in March, anchors a line that has allowed eight sacks in five games. … The Bucs have two players with Louisiana ties — former LSU linebacker Jacob Cutrera and Alexandria native Demar Dotson. Cutrera was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad on Oct. 9 and Dotson, who played at Southern Miss, starts at right tackle. … The Bucs and Saints have each won 10 times since they started playing twice a year as NFC South rivals in 2002.
Compiled by Sheldon Mickles