Early Downs › Week 18

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints: Week 18 preview

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) visit the New Orleans Saints (2-5) on Sun, Jan 10 · 1:00 PM ET.
• The Buccaneers offense ranks 28th in EPA per play (−0.08); the Saints defense ranks 26th (+0.08 allowed). Biggest Buccaneers edges: EPA per designed run, opportunity rate, rushing success rate. The Saints defense holds the edge in sack rate, yards per dropback.
• The Saints offense ranks 21st in EPA per play (−0.03); the Buccaneers defense ranks 3rd (−0.11 allowed). The Buccaneers defense holds the edge in line yards per carry, rushing success rate, explosive play rate.
• Luck check: the Buccaneers have been a bit lucky (+0.9 points per game from kicking and fumble luck); the Saints have been unlucky (−2.4 points per game from kicking and fumble luck).
• Pace: projected for about 129 total snaps, close to a typical game.
• Weather: Indoors, so weather isn't a factor.