Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 X-factors for beating the Saints in Week 9

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to make a statement, and these three players can help.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a 6-2 start, a start that they also enjoyed in 2002 before ultimately hoisting the Lombardi trophy. To reach that destination this year, the journey essentially begins on Sunday night when they take on the New Orleans Saints for the first time since their Week 1 loss in the Superdome, where Tom Brady struggled in his first game outside of a New England Patriots uniform.

Fast forward to Week 9 and the Buccaneers are looking like a contender in the NFC as are their division rivals. On top of that, the battle between Brady and Brees for the most passing touchdowns of all time is going back and forth with Brady currently in the lead.

Meanwhile, the return of Antonio Brown to the NFL is upon us as the former Pro-Bowler comes off his eight-game suspension. Brown is scheduled for another trial next month bu,t for now, he will don No. 81 and join the Buccaneers for a critical division showdown.

As for Tampa’s defense, the previous game against the New York Giants came down to a single stop on a two-point conversion. Furthermore, without Saquon Barkley, Big Blue had a relatively productive night on the ground before ultimately succumbing to Daniel Jones’ ill-advised interceptions.

In addition, a number of penalty flags went in favor of Tampa Bay, a situation that is likely to not repeat in their favor as it will be up to the team to play better football to come away with the victory.

Overall, the whole team will have to come out firing through the cannons. But here are three key players that will be tasked with leading this charge for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 against the rival Saints.