What’s going to happen when the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the field on Monday night? The Saints are going into this prime-time game with their season on the line, and the Buccaneers need to keep pace within the somehow-competitive NFC South.
So how do you see this one playing out? Here are our Week 13 staff picks and bold predictions:
Buccaneers 21, Saints 20
Bold prediction: Rashid Shaheed finally scores a special teams touchdowns. Assuming the dynamic returner plays (as he’s nursed a back injury this week) an aggressive return role, it’s about time he houses one. The Weber State record-holder has been inches away since the Pittsburgh Steelers match up but this week, in primetime, he shines brighter than the lights and returns a kick or punt for a score. — Ross Jackson
Saints 17, Buccaneers 6
Bold prediction: The Saints defense keeps a Tom Brady offense out of the endzone yet again. The defense was firing on all cylinders last week and that was without a lot of players. Now, Marshon Lattimore makes his return against Mike Evans. This Saints defense was wronged by the Bucs offense last time, they’ll want revenge. — Dylan Sanders
Saints 17, Buccaneers 13
Bold prediction: The Saints defense forces three turnovers in this game, setting their offense up in scoring position. Neither of these teams have played well this year and they’re both dealing with injuries. But the Saints have done a good job defending the Buccaneers in recent years and they should do enough to seal a win on the road before their bye week. — John Sigler
