NEW ORLEANS, LA (SNN-TV) – The 2020 Buccaneers may have won the Lombardi Trophy, but the New Orleans Saints have had a stranglehold on the NFC South crown for the last four years. The Buccaneers haven’t won the division since 2007.
Since a division championship is the only path to the lone bye in the seven-man conference playoff field, prying that crown from the Saints is currently the Bucs‘ number-one goal.
Making the Week Eight match-up a pivotal spot on the Bucs 2021 schedule, and not just because it’s the midway point of the season with the bye week to follow.
Tampa Bay is sitting at 6-1 for the first time in franchise history and has a game and half lead in the NFC South.
That lead would shrink to just a half game if the Saints re-exert control and keep the Bucs from leaving the bayou with their 7th win.
Tampa Bay’s most recent trip to the Superdome was the NFC Divisional Playoff Game last January, which the Buccaneers won, 30-20, in what proved to be the last game in Drew Brees‘ career.
The atmosphere then was incomparable, the same can be said for what’s to come on Sunday. Head Coach Bruce Arians is imploring his guys to buckle down and sharpen up.
“We didn’t do it very well on the road so far, and it’s going to be loud. It’s time to clean it up. Post-snap penalties they happen, but pre-snap has to be eliminated. You can’t go into a game against these guys and beat yourself.” – Bruce Arians
Kickoff from New Orleans on Sunday afternoon is set for 4:25pm.
