Today at 1:00 p.m. ET the New Orleans Saints (1-3) will face their neighbors in the NFC South cellar, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) in an early, but crucial divisional matchup on Fox that can be live streamed by clicking this link. Saints fans can listen to the game on WWL 870 while Bucs fans can turn their dials to 98.7 The Fan.
The New Orleans Saints were among a handful of Super Bowl favorites in the NFC during the preseason, thanks largely to a defense that surprised many in 2013 and was healthy to start 2014. Things haven't gone according to plan though, and the Saints are trying to pick up the pieces after a slow start.
"You have to be realistic and know that we're not as good as we thought we were," defensive end and captain Junior Galette said. "We have three quarters (of the season) left, and we have to improve drastically.
"Nothing is encouraging right now. We're not looking at other teams. We're looking at ourselves, and how we played (Sunday) night was discouraging. At the same time, you've got to be tough and be strong through these tough times because they never last."
Right now the Saints rank dead last in total defense per FootballOutsiders.com. They've been particularly bad against the pass, ranking 30th in the league.
Tampa Bay's defense isn't much better though, and today they'll face a Drew Brees-led offense that hasn't broken out yet, and has played three road tilts. He will be opposed by Mike Glennon, who was impressive in leading a late comeback vs. the Steelers last week for Tampa Bay's first victory.
"You do judge quarterbacks on what they do late, and he was at his best at the end, right up until the last throw," Bucs head coach Lovie Smith said of Glennon.
"When you're labeled the quarterback of the future, that's what you're supposed to do when you come out. The future was in front of us a little earlier than the initial plan, but you need to be ready at all times. How (Glennon) handled it right there at the end, having to make that final throw, kind of said it all."
Buccaneers Injury Report
Saints Injury Report
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