With losses by beforehand unbeaten Atlanta and New Orleans on Sunday, an upset win by 2-0 Tampa Bay over the 2-0 Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Evening Soccer would have the Bucs alone atop the NFC South division. Tampa Bay received back-to-back division titles in 2021 and 2022 and are in search of a three-peat in 2023.
The two-1 Falcons misplaced at Detroit in opposition to the 2-1 Lions, 20-6. The Lions held the Falcons out of the top zone and sacked second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder seven instances on Sunday.
Working again Bijan Robinson, Atlanta’s first-round decide, was held to only 33 yards on 10 carries, and the Lions shut down the Falcons’ dashing assault, which gained 44 yards on 20 carries. Detroit out-gained Atlanta in whole yards, 358-183.
The two-1 Saints additionally suffered a highway defeat on Sunday, shedding 18-17 in Inexperienced Bay. New Orleans opened up a 17-0 lead, solely to squander it because the Packers rallied with 14 factors within the fourth quarter.
Not solely did the Saints lose for the primary time this 12 months, however additionally they misplaced quarterback Derek Carr for a part of the second half. Carr was sacked laborious by edge rusher Rashaan Gary and suffered a sprain of his AC joint in his proper (throwing) shoulder, in accordance with NFL Community insider Ian Rapoport. It’s unlikely he’ll play on this Sunday’s house sport in opposition to Tampa Bay.
The 0-3 Panthers stay winless, shedding at Seattle, 37-27. Quarterback Bryce Younger, the No. 1 general first decide on this 12 months’s draft, missed the sport on account of a concussion. Andy Dalton began for Carolina.
Bucs Might Face Jameis Winston In New Orleans On Sunday
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Saints QB Jameis Winston – Picture by: USA In the present day
After Derek Carr began the Packers sport 13-of-18 passing for 103 yards and a landing, Jameis Winston got here in and accomplished 10-of-16 passes for 101 yards and was sacked as soon as. The Saints offensive line surrendered 4 sacks to the Packers, together with three to Rashaan Gary, who tormented proper sort out Ryan Ramcyzk for 3 of them, together with the play the place Carr obtained injured.
With Carr possible out for this week’s sport in opposition to the Bucs, Winston, a former Tampa Bay quarterback, ought to get the beginning in opposition to his outdated workforce. Winston, who was drafted by the Bucs with the primary general decide within the 2015 NFL Draft, spent 5 seasons in Tampa Bay, however was not re-signed after his fifth-year possibility 12 months.
As a substitute, the Bucs signed Tom Brady in free company, and wound up ending 11-5 and profitable Tremendous Bowl LV in 2020.
Winston, who continues to be Tampa Bay’s all-time passing yardage chief, has been the backup quarterback for many of his three years in New Orleans. He’s 6-4 as a starter in New Orleans.
Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett and ILB Lavonte David and Saints QB Jameis Winston – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Winston helped lead the Saints to a 36-27 win over the Bucs in 2021. However he didn’t end the sport, as he suffered a torn ACL harm after finishing 6-of-10 passes for 56 yards and a landing.
Tampa Bay returned the favor the following 12 months, beating the Saints in New Orleans, 20-10. Winston was 25-of-40 passing for 236 yards with one landing and three interceptions, together with a fourth-quarter pick-six. He was additionally sacked six instances.
In three common season appearances in opposition to the Bucs, Winston is 32-of-51 passing for 304 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s additionally been sacked these six instances.
To beat the Eagles, who’re favored by 5 factors on Monday night time, the Bucs may need to maintain taking part in turnover-free soccer. Tampa Bay is the one workforce left that has but to show the ball over this season.
