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Buccaneers vs Saints Picks, Odds & Preview

Kevin Allen

by Kevin Allen in NFL Football

Updated Mar 9, 2021 · 3:15 PM PST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees calling a play at the line of scrimmage during a game.
FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2010, file photo, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. After all his teammates leave the field, Drew Brees often runs extra sprints alone. It's not that he's out of shape. The Saints' quarterback just knows how hard it will be to win another Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
  • Tom Brady plays his first game in a Tampa Bay uniform when the Buccaneers visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 13th (4:25 p.m. ET)
  • Counting their faceoff in college the two legendary quarterbacks are 3-3 when they have played against each other
  • See the game odds, spread and total as well as a preview below

It’s fitting Tom Brady’s Buccaneers debut Sunday will be opposite New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees . The two talented quarterbacks have been squaring off since they were Big Ten rivals in 1999.

While we have yet to see Brady actually don the Bucs uniform without any preseason action, the hype is high for this shootout at the Superdome.

In the marquee game of the day, Brady’s Bucs are 3.5-point underdogs in the Buccaneers vs Saints odds.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total at DraftKings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +150 +3.5 (-110) O 48 (-110)
New Orleans Saints -175 -3.5 (-110) U 48 (-110)

Odds taken Sept. 12

Brees, 41, and Brady, 43, rank first and second, respectively, on the NFL’s all-time list of touchdown passes.

Brees holds a 3-2 advantage in match-ups against Brady in the NFL, but Brady’s Michigan team beat Brees Purdue team in 1999.

 

Buccaneers Looking to Debut in Style

The Buccaneers haven’t been in the playoffs since 2007. In that 13-year span, Brady took the Patriots to six Super Bowls, winning three. He also won three Super Bowls from 2001 to 2004.

Brady came to Tampa Bay with the idea of transforming the Buccaneers into a winning organization. He will want to make a statement with a strong performance against the Saints.

They already had some big-play receivers in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and the receiving corps grew stronger when Gronkowski left retirement rejoin his buddy Brady.  Gronk understands Brady’s though process. He puts himself in a position where Brady can find him. But Gronk didn’t play last season. Is he still an elite performer?

Sunday we get the answer.

Opponents will also be watching also to see how well Brady meshes with new coach Bruce Arians. In New England, Brady often moved down the field by throwing underneath. He uses running backs often in the passing game.

Arians historically likes to throw the ball down the field.  It may take more than one week for Brady and Arians to grow comfortable with each other.

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Saints Once Again Loaded

The Saints, with Brees at quarterback, already have a winning culture.  Over the past three seasons, the Saints have won three division titles while posting a cumulative record of 37-11.

What they want now is a deeper playoff run.

They will look at this high-profile game against Tampa Bay as the start of that quest.  The Saints will relish the challenge of facing Brady because of the impressive strength of their secondary.

Cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Janori Jenkins, plus safeties Marcus Williams, Malcolm Jenkins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are top level performers. Brady will have to work to have a big day against them.

Buccaneers Have a Key Injury

Mike Evans (hamstring) practiced for the first time Friday, but is still listed as “doubtful” for Sunday.  Evans was the Bucs No. 2 receiver last season with 67 catches for 1,157 yards.  It looks like his status will be a game-time decision.

Meanwhile, the Saints will be without defensive end Marcus Davenport (elbow) and offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz (ankle).

Given the passing ability that Brady and Brees have, this promises to be a high-scoring game.  It’s tempting to bet the over. Both quarterbacks will want to put on a show. You wouldn’t be shocked if this game is decided on the last possession. This feels like it could be a 31-28 kind of game. But it’s hard to ignore the Saints playing at home.

Pick: Saints -3.5 (-110)

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