The Divisional Round in the NFL concludes on Sunday night and Ross Williams is targeting two touchdown scorers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
After winning the NFC South, the Saints are favoured in this fiery clash, but there’s certainly room for an upset in the final game of divisional weekend.
New Orleans have won the two contests between the sides so far this year, but the Buccaneers have looked a different animal down the stretch. Tom Brady, at the ripe old age of 43, is remarkably having one of his best ever seasons and the vast array of attacking talent around him are stepping up to be counted.
The Saints are no slouches themselves of course, but I do worry for them in this match-up. New Orleans’ strength lies in their run game and their ability to move the chains close to the line of scrimmage. However, this is where the Bucs excel, with the league’s #1 run defence at their disposal and a fearsome front seven.
Tampa’s secondary does leave plenty to be desired and is undoubtedly their Achilles heel, but I question whether the Saints have the tools to properly exploit that weakness. Michael Thomas is one of the more talented receivers we’ve ever seen, but the majority of his work is done close to Drew Brees. The Saints rely on unheralded receivers on deep routes, and it’s a big ask for them to perform on the biggest stage of their careers.
The likes of Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway have potential for sure, but are they really going to outscore the trio of Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown? Doubtful, to say the least.
Plus, we really have to consider the quarterbacks. Brees is a legend of the game, but his arm strength is not what it once was, and he’s often had to rely on the talent of Alvin Kamara to bail him out of situations this season.
As for Brady, we’ve seen nothing of the sort, and there’s no man you’d rather have on your side when the postseason rolls around.
Brees may have had the edge over Brady in the regular season, but I have no qualms sticking with the NFL’s greatest ever quarterback in the one game that truly matters.
Best Bet: Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown both to score a touchdown at 7/1
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Odds correct at 1130 GMT (17/01/21)
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