The season finale presents one last chance for the New Orleans Saints (5-11) to show a version of their best selves, against the Buccaneers (9-7) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
It won't be easy; Tampa Bay needs to win to guarantee its fourth consecutive NFC South Division title. Here are a few ways in which the Saints can make that task more difficult for the Bucs:
1. SHOW UP
Saints players and coaches have all but guaranteed they won't be going through the motions in a game with no playoff implications for the franchise, but that's easier said than done. In addition to the season ending, the Saints have had the week to deal with the peripheral emotions affiliated with the terrorist attack in New Orleans and the fact that they'll enter yet another game with several key players – including running back Alvin Kamara, quarterback Derek Carr and center Erik McCoy – likely out due to injury. The notion of tapping out could be strong so the Saints must tap into their professionalism and into the fact that if they don't show up, and Tampa Bay is looking to clinch the division title at their expense, the result could be an embarrassing one.
2. FOUR QUARTERS
In two of the previous three games the Saints have had a problem constructing four productive quarters. New Orleans was good in the second half of its loss to Washington, good in the first half of its loss to the Raiders – and the play of rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler reflected that – but wasn't good in either half of a loss to the Packers (and Rattler's production reflected that, too). It's going to need a solid performance throughout Sunday from all three units – offense, defense, special teams – to finish the season with a satisfying result.
3. BOW UP
When you allow 139 rushing yards per game – as New Orleans does – every opponent is going to pursue that avenue because, well, why wouldn't they? The Saints have seven games in which they've allowed at least 137 rushing yards and in the last five games, opponents averaged 150. Linebacker Demario Davis has topped 100 tackles for the eighth straight season and with nine tackles, he'll set a career high of 136. He'll have a say in how much Tampa Bay rookie running back Bucky Irving adds to his team-leading totals of 1,033 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
4. CREATE THE HATE
Let's face it: There's going to be a little something missing from Sunday's game since Marshon Lattimore isn't on the field to match up against Mike Evans. The former Saints cornerback, who was traded to Washington, and the Buccaneers receiver have had some physical, cantankerous matchups over the years as the two often lined up against each other. If that duty falls to cornerback Alontae Taylor, he'd better be ready for it. Evans, who has 11 touchdown catches, is 85 yards short of reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th consecutive season. He already holds the NFL record for 1,000-yard seasons to open a career, with 10, and the Bucs would love to add this season to his resume.
5. SHAKE BAKER
If the Saints can't discombobulate Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, it's going to be a long day on defense, and few opponents have done that this season. Mayfield is completing 71.8 percent of his passes for 4,279 yards and 39 touchdowns, with 15 interceptions – MVP-conversation level numbers in most seasons. He's been sacked 39 times and has fumbled a league-leading 13 times, but he only has lost two of them. New Orleans must pressure him and force a turnover or two.
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