National Football League

BUCS (3-1) VS. SAINTS (3-2)

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:12 p.m. ET

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1 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Saints by 4, 44

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Scouting Report

NEW ORLEANS' BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER: QB Drew Brees, who is in a bit of a funk considering he's coming off a three-interception performance (after throwing 11 in 2009). But even on a bad day, he's one of the most accurate passers in the league.

NEW ORLEANS' BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: LB Jonathan Vilma, the quarterback of the defense who manages to affect the game in many ways, from stopping the run to picking off passes.

WHAT THE SAINTS DO BEST: Air it out. The combination of QB Drew Brees' immense talent and depth at receiver makes the offense dangerous. WRs Marques Colston and Devery Henderson and TE Jeremy Shockey have great timing with Brees, who always seems to know just when to deliver the ball. The Bucs secondary has played well, but this is a tall order.

YOU CAN BEAT THE SAINTS IF: You get pressure on QB Drew Brees. Of course, thatês much easier said than done considering Brees' quick delivery. But because so much of the offense is predicated on timing and precision, the way to stop it is to throw off that timing. Given the Bucs' inability to pressure quarterbacks, this could be an issue.

THE BUCS MUST AVOID: Committing turnovers. Though that sounds obvious, the Saints thrived off turnovers last season on their way to the Super Bowl. Itês what made their defense so dominant while often setting the table for the offense to dominate, too.

PREDICTION: Saints 23, Bucs 20

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