By SCOTT REYNOLDS
FOXSportsFlorida.com / PewterReport.com
Dec. 31, 2010
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers end their surprising and successful 2010 regular season campaign with a match up against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. After a 3-13 campaign last year, the Bucs have a record of 9-6 and still have to chance to get to head coach Raheem Morris' "Race to 10" wins. Standing in their way will be the defending Super Bowl champions in a rowdy Superdome.
The Saints are 11-4 and are coming off a big win last Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons, which kept their hopes of securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs alive. In order to get there the Saints need a win against the Bucs and a loss by the Falcons to the 2-13 Carolina Panthers. But don't expect Tampa Bay to just lie down because it is playing for a playoff berth as well.
The Bucs need some major help, but can make the playoffs with a victory against New Orleans, coupled with losses by the New York Giants (at Washington) and the Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago).
So will the Bucs be disappointed if they don't make the postseason?
"I won't be because at the beginning of the year our goal was 10 wins and let the chips fall as they may," said defensive end Stylez G. White. "So us getting to 10 wins are what we wanted and what we strived for. Anything else we can't control."
In order to get that 10th win, the Bucs, who have the sixth-ranked pass defense, are going to have to slow down quarterback Drew Brees and the high-powered Saints offense. In 10 career starts against Tampa Bay, Brees has completed over 67 percent of his passes for 2,491 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
However, Tampa Bay has plenty of weapons of its own. Second-year quarterback Josh Freeman is having one of the best seasons in franchise history with 3,196 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while compiling a QB rating of 93.6.
The Bucs also have a pair of rookies that are taking the league by storm. Wide receiver Mike Williams has 61 catches for 924 receiving yards and a rookie franchise-record 10 touchdowns. Running back LeGarrette Blount is among the league leaders with a 5.2 per carry average and has 941 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Both players are within striking distance for a 1,000 yards.
This NFC South showdown kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET and will be aired on Fox.
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