Tampa Bay Buccaneers against New Orleans Saints in NFC South battle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-10, 48 o/u)

A quarter of the NFL season has passed and the New Orleans Saints (1-3) have yet to play like the New Orleans Saints team everyone thought would win the NFC South. A porous defense and at times underwhelming Drew Brees offense has everyone on edge.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said, “It’s challenging. It’s disappointing. It’s frustrating. But it’s on all of us now. Obviously, it’s not where you want to be one quarter through the season. There’s a lot of things that need to be cleaned up. Quite honestly, we’re playing like a 1/3 team right now, and that’s what our record is.”

The Saints defense is giving up 33.7 points in their losses, with this weekend’s opponents – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) – hoping to add to that.

It’s been an interesting time for the head coach Lovie Smith rebuilding project, which was embarrassed on national television two weeks ago only to rebound last Sunday with an improbable comeback victory at Pittsburgh led by quarterback Mike Glennon.

Said Smith, “You do judge quarterbacks on what they do late, and he was at his best at the end, right up until the last throw. When you’re labeled the quarterback of the future, that’s what you’re supposed to do when you come out.

“The future was in front of us a little earlier than the initial plan, but you need to be ready at all times. How (Glennon) handled it right there at the end, having to make that final throw, kind of said it all.”

Considering the momentum of both teams, taking Tampa Bay and the points may seem enticing, but a better bet is the under with both offenses struggling.