Greg D’Cruz’s Buccaneers vs Saints Preview

The offense is scoring an average of 25 points per game (25.2 to be exact). Even though they have played multiple players at offensive Line and have had more WR combinations than most have to endure.

At this point, expecting the defense to hold teams under 24 points seems like wishful thinking. They give up an average of 25 points per game (25.1). Despite the fact that they’ve been healthier than the offense. They are what they are at this point.

The Offense can and WILL get better. Last week we saw  the return of Bucky Irving. Soon  Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan will be back as well. Both returned to practice.

The offense that we saw in training camp is finally going to be seen in the regular season.

Defenses have feasted on two rookie WRs who, as good as they are, are still rookies. It’s unfair to ask them to have the same type of chemistry with Baker Mayfield that Evans, Godwin and McMillan have had. With their return, the offense is about to explode. We saw Godwin have those key 3rd down conversions last week and he’s only going to get better.

My hope is that once the Bucs can get on top of teams early, the defense will get that key third down stop or create a turnover and that will be enough to secure a victory.

I think Coach Bowles realizes that the strength of his team is on offense. Last week the Buccaneers won the coin toss but elected to receive the ball in the hope of getting on top early. Most teams with good defenses will defer and  get the ball to start the 2nd half.

My prediction is that the scoring output will increase starting this weekend against the Saints.

I’ll be there for the 2nd of 3 straight home games. Hopefully the crowd will be even happier than we were a week ago.