In case you haven't heard, New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make his first NFL start Sunday, when New Orleans (2-3) takes on Tampa Bay (3-2) in the Caesars Superdome.
Oh, also, the Saints will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
P.S. New Orleans is a banged-up team, starting its third center this season while also entering without offensive weapon Taysom Hill (ribs), starting right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), starting safety Will Harris (hamstring) and, of course, starting quarterback Derek Carr (oblique).
Tampa Bay doesn't care about any of that, and neither should the Saints. Here are a few ways in which the absences can be minimized:
1. PROTECT THE ROOK:
It goes without saying that Tampa Bay will look to confuse and to pressure Rattler into making errors. Figure that the Buccaneers will concentrate on taking away the run, force the Saints to become one-dimensional and set their sights on Rattler. Rattler's new best friends – the offensive line – most can help him by establishing an effective run game. The last thing New Orleans wants is for Rattler to have to throw the ball 45 times; it wouldn't suggest the kind of balance needed to be efficient. Receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed become more dangerous if the run game can force Tampa Bay to devote more defenders to slowing it down.
2. TIGHTEN(D) UP:
When New Orleans does need to pass, it can't all be on Olave, Shaheed and running back Alvin Kamara. The tight ends must be more involved. The primary targets, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau, have combined for 16 catches, 128 yards and three touchdowns. If Rattler doesn't have much time and needs to work quickly underneath Johnson and Moreau could be useful, especially when not devoted to helping pass protect.
3. LINE DANCE:
Through Tampa Bay's first five games, quarterback Baker Mayfield has been on a tear, completing 72 percent of his passes for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns, with two interceptions. And he has run for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. But he has been sacked 16 times and he has fumbled three times. He can be reached and the Saints, who've been limited to three sacks in the last two games and haven't applied enough pressure, need to apply the pressure. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (four sacks) and defensive end Carl Granderson (three) have half of the team's 14 sacks. They could use a little more help from their line mates, to keep pressure off the secondary.
4. COOLER HEADS PREVAIL:
This NFC South Division matchup has had its share of chippy moments, and that's to be expected. But New Orleans can't give away cheap personal fouls or lose focus, especially knowing their rookie quarterback already has enough on his plate. While we enjoy the mutual intolerance shared by Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, Lattimore and his teammates can't get so caught up in emotion that it costs the team.
5. DO SOMETHING SPECIAL:
It doesn't have to be a blocked punt or punt/kickoff touchdown return for a touchdown. But sure tackling and repeatedly pinning the Bucs deep in their territory can be just as valuable in a tight game, to say nothing of accurate kicks when field goal opportunities are presented.
Little Caesars® is always the winning play on Saints gameday! Download the app and participate in the Pizza!Pizza! Pregame Challenge to earn rewards on NFL gamedays.
