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NEW ORLEANS
TAMPA BAY |
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46.5
| 23
Final
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| 325 | NEW ORLEANS | -3.5 | -4.5 | | 326 | TAMPA BAY | 45 | 46.5 |
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| All Games | 6-9 | -13.2 | 6-9 | 10-5 | 25.2 | 10.9 | 416.3 | (6.2) | 1.8 | 26.9 | 11.7 | 390.9 | (6.3) | 1.1 | | Road Games | 3-4 | -2.6 | 4-3 | 5-2 | 27.4 | 11.7 | 418.0 | (6.6) | 1.7 | 26.0 | 8.4 | 389.7 | (6.1) | 1.4 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -5.3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 18.3 | 8.0 | 360.3 | (5.6) | 2.3 | 28.7 | 12.3 | 392.7 | (6.3) | 1.0 | | Grass Games | 3-1 | +1.4 | 3-1 | 2-2 | 29.5 | 13.0 | 402.0 | (6.4) | 1.2 | 20.7 | 5.5 | 342.7 | (5.4) | 1.7 | | Division Games | 2-3 | -5.8 | 1-4 | 3-2 | 24.6 | 11.4 | 399.2 | (5.6) | 2.6 | 29.8 | 11.4 | 402.6 | (6.6) | 0.8 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 25.2 | 10.9 | 25.0 | 30:47 | 26-117 | (4.6) | 29-41 | 69.6% | 300 | (7.2) | 67-416 | (6.2) | (16.5) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23 | 11.4 | 20.6 | 30:53 | 26-110 | (4.2) | 23-36 | 63.6% | 245 | (6.9) | 62-355 | (5.7) | (15.4) | | Offense Road Games | 27.4 | 11.7 | 24.7 | 29:57 | 25-117 | (4.6) | 27-38 | 70.1% | 301 | (7.9) | 64-418 | (6.6) | (15.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 26.9 | 11.7 | 21.8 | 30:20 | 27-129 | (4.8) | 22-35 | 62.5% | 261 | (7.5) | 62-391 | (6.3) | (14.5) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.9 | 11.3 | 20.4 | 31:31 | 27-112 | (4.2) | 22-35 | 62.7% | 240 | (6.9) | 62-353 | (5.7) | (15.4) | | Defense Road Games | 26.0 | 8.4 | 23.3 | 30:14 | 26-119 | (4.6) | 23-39 | 60.4% | 271 | (7) | 64-390 | (6.1) | (15) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.8 | -0.7 | 13-6 | 48.1% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 1-35 | (26.2) | 1-9 | (7.8) | 5-44 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2 | 13-5 | 41.6% | 1-0 | 55.3% | 2-51 | (23.5) | 17-2 | (9.1) | 6-55 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | -0.3 | 12-5 | 45.1% | 1-0 | 60.0% | 1-25 | (24.6) | 1-8 | (6.1) | 6-51 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.1 | | 13-6 | 45.5% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 2-63 | (26.2) | 1-4 | (3.1) | 7-58 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | | 13-5 | 41.0% | 1-0 | 50.3% | 3-58 | (23.3) | 17-2 | (9.2) | 7-55 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | | 14-6 | 43.7% | 1-0 | 40.0% | 3-68 | (24.9) | 1-3 | (3.6) | 7-59 |
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| All Games | 2-13 | -10.2 | 6-9 | 5-10 | 17.1 | 6.9 | 292.8 | (5.3) | 2.1 | 25.8 | 13.2 | 370.9 | (5.7) | 1.5 | | Home Games | 0-7 | -8.8 | 1-6 | 1-6 | 13.4 | 4.3 | 275.7 | (5.1) | 1.7 | 23.9 | 13.0 | 360.1 | (5.7) | 0.9 | | Last 3 Games | 0-3 | -3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 12.3 | 7.7 | 209.7 | (4.4) | 2.3 | 24.3 | 12.0 | 409.3 | (5.9) | 1.0 | | Grass Games | 2-10 | -7.2 | 5-7 | 2-10 | 16.2 | 6.9 | 302.3 | (5.5) | 1.9 | 21.7 | 11.1 | 346.4 | (5.5) | 1.2 | | Division Games | 0-5 | -5.8 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 18.6 | 6.0 | 291.0 | (5.3) | 3.0 | 31.8 | 16.0 | 409.0 | (5.9) | 1.6 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 17.1 | 6.9 | 16.3 | 26:55 | 21-79 | (3.8) | 19-34 | 56.5% | 213 | (6.3) | 55-293 | (5.3) | (17.1) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.4 | 11.4 | 20.5 | 30:54 | 26-111 | (4.2) | 23-35 | 63.7% | 247 | (7) | 62-359 | (5.8) | (15.3) | | Offense Home Games | 13.4 | 4.3 | 16.4 | 27:18 | 21-85 | (4) | 19-32 | 59.7% | 191 | (5.9) | 54-276 | (5.1) | (20.5) | | Defense (All Games) | 25.8 | 13.2 | 22.2 | 33:29 | 30-116 | (3.9) | 24-35 | 69.0% | 255 | (7.3) | 65-371 | (5.7) | (14.4) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.9 | 11.2 | 20.9 | 30:27 | 26-110 | (4.2) | 23-36 | 63.7% | 249 | (7) | 62-359 | (5.8) | (15.7) | | Defense Home Games | 23.9 | 13.0 | 20.7 | 32:44 | 29-120 | (4.1) | 23-33 | 69.5% | 240 | (7.2) | 63-360 | (5.7) | (15.1) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | -0.7 | 12-4 | 36.0% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 2-49 | (22.2) | 1-14 | (10.7) | 8-61 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 13-5 | 41.3% | 1-0 | 53.0% | 2-52 | (24.2) | 17-2 | (8.9) | 7-56 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.7 | -0.9 | 12-4 | 36.0% | 1-0 | 42.9% | 2-56 | (24.4) | 2-22 | (11.8) | 7-49 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.5 | | 13-6 | 43.2% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 2-57 | (23.6) | 2-12 | (6) | 7-61 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | | 13-5 | 40.5% | 1-0 | 49.0% | 2-57 | (23.3) | 17-2 | (9.5) | 6-56 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | | 13-6 | 45.6% | 0-0 | 50.0% | 2-49 | (26.4) | 2-12 | (4.8) | 6-56 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: NEW ORLEANS 19.9, TAMPA BAY 19.5 |
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| 10/30/2014 | @ CAROLINA | 28-10 | W | -3 | W | 49 | U | 37-105 | 24-34-270 | 2 | 23-109 | 10-28-122 | 2 | | 11/9/2014 | SAN FRANCISCO | 24-27 | L | -6 | L | 49 | O | 31-136 | 28-47-287 | 3 | 32-144 | 14-32-186 | 1 | | 11/16/2014 | CINCINNATI | 10-27 | L | -8.5 | L | 51 | U | 26-75 | 33-41-255 | 1 | 36-186 | 16-22-219 | 0 | | 11/24/2014 | BALTIMORE | 27-34 | L | -3 | L | 50.5 | O | 21-126 | 35-45-399 | 1 | 32-215 | 18-24-234 | 1 | | 11/30/2014 | @ PITTSBURGH | 35-32 | W | 3.5 | W | 55 | O | 26-143 | 19-27-250 | 0 | 23-103 | 32-58-435 | 2 | | 12/7/2014 | CAROLINA | 10-41 | L | -9 | L | 50 | O | 17-92 | 29-49-218 | 2 | 40-271 | 21-33-226 | 0 | | 12/15/2014 | @ CHICAGO | 31-15 | W | -3 | W | 53.5 | U | 26-83 | 29-36-360 | 1 | 20-125 | 17-31-153 | 3 | | 12/21/2014 | ATLANTA | 14-30 | L | -6 | L | 56 | U | 18-57 | 30-47-271 | 4 | 22-81 | 30-40-322 | 0 | | 12/28/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 11/2/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 17-22 | L | 7 | W | 44 | U | 26-113 | 17-33-252 | 2 | 28-50 | 21-34-280 | 2 | | 11/9/2014 | ATLANTA | 17-27 | L | 3 | L | 47 | U | 23-92 | 27-43-281 | 3 | 28-110 | 20-31-212 | 0 | | 11/16/2014 | @ WASHINGTON | 27-7 | W | 6.5 | W | 46.5 | U | 21-48 | 15-23-281 | 1 | 31-155 | 23-32-167 | 3 | | 11/23/2014 | @ CHICAGO | 13-21 | L | 4.5 | L | 46.5 | U | 22-66 | 25-48-301 | 4 | 26-92 | 17-27-112 | 1 | | 11/30/2014 | CINCINNATI | 13-14 | L | 6 | W | 43.5 | U | 25-75 | 15-29-188 | 1 | 28-112 | 20-28-176 | 3 | | 12/7/2014 | @ DETROIT | 17-34 | L | 10 | L | 42 | O | 14-26 | 20-39-207 | 3 | 31-113 | 26-34-294 | 1 | | 12/14/2014 | @ CAROLINA | 17-19 | L | 3.5 | W | 41 | U | 23-151 | 13-28-136 | 3 | 32-121 | 25-40-269 | 1 | | 12/21/2014 | GREEN BAY | 3-20 | L | 11 | L | 48.5 | U | 14-16 | 12-26-93 | 1 | 31-121 | 31-40-310 | 1 | | 12/28/2014 | NEW ORLEANS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | NEW ORLEANS: The Saints' running game is a Frankenstein of a series of other offenses, but its basis is in between-the-tackles power. Pierre Thomas might lead the backfield committee in playing time, but the running game is better suited for big bruising backs like Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson. They'll rotate the three on early downs with Thomas staying on the field for most passing downs. Thomas is at his best on stretch plays that move the opposing front seven laterally, while the other two will work a lot of inside zone runs. Thomas got most of the carries inside the 20 last season, but Ingram started to eat into those red-zone touches late in the year once he was healthy.
The Saints will run the same kind of pass-happy, spread offense they have run since 2007. Tight end Jimmy Graham is the focal point of the passing game, flexing out and working the deep seam. Drew Brees will look for him any time Graham gets single-coverage, and often when he's double-covered too. He is by far the Saints' top option in the red zone. Marques Colston works downfield on the perimeter, as Brees reads high-to-low. Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks will mix in as home-run hitters, and Cooks could see some of the catch-and-run work that used to go to Darren Sproles. Thomas, one of the NFL's best in the screen game, will see increased usage through the air with Sproles gone.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan transformed one of the worst defenses ever in 2012 to a unit that finished fourth among NFL defenses in yards, points and sacks. The addition of FS Jairus Boyd and CB Champ Bailey will help pass-rushing studs DE Cameron Jordan (12.5 sacks) and OLB Junior Galette (12 sacks) get more sacks. | | TAMPA BAY: This will be the NFL debut for new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, long one of the most respected offensive coaches in the college game. O-Line coach George Warhop uses multiple concepts and relies on athletic blockers getting to the second level to open up big plays in the running game. They'll likely use some tempo to help the running game along. Doug Martin figures to take the bulk of the workload with rookie Charles Sims mixing in, especially on passing downs. Martin will likely take a decent red-zone workload, including goal-line carries. Mike James also figures to see some work.
Tedford ran a pro style system at the collegiate level, using tempo and space similarly to how Chip Kelly does in Philly. Assuming veteran Josh McCown wins the starting job, he will have a good shot at duplicating the success he had in Chicago. Tedford's system often gets one of the boundary receivers in single coverage, and both Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are capable of overpowering defensive backs downfield. The size of Tampa's pass-catchers should lead to a lot of short TD throws for McCown. Jackson has never been a great red-zone producer due to the attention he draws, but between he, Evans and rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the passing game should be difficult to defend in the end zone. Seferian-Jenkins will have a chance to establish himself as a security blanket over the middle, while move TE Brandon Myers works up the field. They'll also likely work the screen game more frequently, featuring Martin and Sims.
The Bucs improved in nearly every defensive facet last season, and new DC Leslie Frazier gets to infuse some talented free agents like DE Michael Johnson and CBs Alterraun Verner and Mike Jenkins to new head coach Lovie Smith's Tampa-2 scheme. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (NEW ORLEANS-TAMPA BAY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Saints-Buccaneers Preview* ===========================
By KEVIN CHROUST STATS Writer
When New Orleans and Tampa Bay meet Sunday, it will be the Buccaneers with something to play for rather than the perennial playoff-contending Saints.
And it could take a loss to earn it.
The No. 1 overall draft pick and little else is on the line at Raymond James Stadium as the NFC South opponents conclude their seasons.
The Bucs (2-13) have assured themselves a top-two pick in the 2015 draft, and a loss to New Orleans would secure the No. 1 choice. Tennessee is also 2-13, but Tampa Bay holds the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker.
In the event of a tie, the team whose opponents total fewer wins is awarded the top pick, and the first 16 weeks of the season were enough for the Titans' opponents to clinch the better record.
A Bucs win and a Titans loss would send the top pick to Tennessee, but coach Lovie Smith is unwilling to accept a defeat as the more favorable outcome for his team.
"I've kind of answered that question a few times. I think we're going to end up in good position to get some good players. So to me, that can't even come into the equation," Smith said.
The Saints (6-9) were eliminated from playoff contention with last Sunday's 30-14 home loss to Atlanta, yet coach Sean Payton said no drastic changes will be made in terms of who will be on the field against the Bucs.
"We'll have our best guys out there and preparing and doing everything we would normally do if we were playing for a playoff spot," said Payton, whose Saints have won the last six meetings in the series. "It won't be a bit different."
They'll be working on taking care of the ball, a major reason why his team is missing the playoffs.
The Saints are minus-11 in turnover margin, tied for 30th with the New York Jets and trailing only Oakland at minus-14. They committed four and forced none against the Falcons.
"You really just keep yourself from having an opportunity to win a game," said Payton, whose team ranks first in total offense at 416.3 yards per contest. "That's something that I obviously have to look closely at."
Drew Brees hasn't been the main reason for the woeful turnover margin, as his 14 interceptions are lower than his average of 15.5 in his previous eight seasons, and he has a 99.2 rating after posting a mark 99.0 mark from 2006-13. The Saints were 80-48 in the regular season during that time.
This year, though, they have 16 takeaways after averaging 23.6 in those eight years. Factor in a 31st-ranked defense (390.9 yards per game), and it seems clear what the priority area will be for Payton and the New Orleans front office in the offseason.
The players on that side of the ball have one more chance to make an impression.
"You can't just sit around and feel sorry for yourself all day," linebacker Parys Haralson said. "The season didn't go the way you wanted to, but you've got this last game right here to go and still get to do what you love to do."
The Bucs weren't much better in the turnover category at minus-10, including minus-5 during their current five-game losing streak.
While New Orleans has the offense to sometimes overcome errors, Tampa Bay's attack has floundered even when it's taken care of the ball. The Bucs gave it away once in last Sunday's 20-3 home loss to Green Bay but were still held to 109 yards of offense, tied for the eighth-worst mark in team history and the lowest since they managed 86 yards in a 24-0 loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 27, 2009.
Smith has been encouraged by the development of the team's top three draft picks from last season - receiver Mike Evans, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Charles Sims, but it's evident that it will take more than one draft class to turn things around.
The Bucs' 31st-ranked offense (292.8 yards per game) also has them in danger of completing a winless home schedule for the first time since going 0-7 in their inaugural 1976 season. They've dropped eight straight at home - their longest such skid since losing the first 13 home games over 1976-77.
Avoiding that dubious feat might be why Smith isn't yet worrying about draft slots.
"We do want to finish it up the right way," Smith said. "I think all our guys realize that."
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/26/2024 3:42:41 AM EST. |
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