NEW ORLEANS, La. (WFLA) — Every game against a divisional opponent is important, but for the Bucs, Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints has extra meaning.
Obviously, the team wants to shake off its late-game collapse against the Falcons, but it also knows that a win on Sunday could bring some joy to a Tampa Bay area that hasn’t had much in recent memory. recently after being ravaged by Hurricane Milton.
“We don’t even play just for football anymore. We’re trying to play for something a little bigger,” Bucs receiver Mike Evans said.
“This could be kind of a Sunday to give the people of Florida, especially in our area, some hope and something to look forward to,” added quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The good news for the Bucs is that they will have their starters back after an injury. Starting defensive lineman is set to make his season debut Sunday, starting right tackle Luke Goedeke has cleared concussion protocol, and all-pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is a game decision after practicing this week in a limited capacity.
It wasn’t good news for the Bucs on the injury front, however. The team lost starting center Graham Barton to a hamstring injury. Veteran Robert Hainsey will start at center on Sunday.
The Saints are dealing with their own injuries. Starting quarterback Derek Carr will miss Sunday’s game with an oblique injury, so rookie Spencer Rattler will start for New Orleans.
We’ll see if the Bucs can use that extra motivation Evans and Mayfield talked about to get a much-needed win against the Saints and keep pace with the Falcons for first place in the NFC South.
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