The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won just one game since defeating the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 26.
The Buccaneers (7-5) are still in first place in the NFC South, however they can increase their half-game lead over the idle Carolina Panthers (7-6) when they host the Saints (2-10) on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay owned a 6-2 record after posting a 23-3 win in New Orleans. The Buccaneers lost their next three games before getting back on track with a 20-17 victory against the visiting Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.
“You want to control your own destiny,” Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said. “You don’t want to sit and look at scores every Sunday. If you can control your own destiny and get (injured) guys back in the process and acclimate them the right way and they can help contribute, that’s all you can ask for.”
The Buccaneers have been dealing with injuries to key players, however quarterback Baker Mayfield played through a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder against the Cardinals. Running back Bucky Irving returned from a seven-game absence due to foot and shoulder injuries to gain 81 yards from scrimmage, and wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. had his most productive game of an injury-plagued season by making three catches for 78 yards.
Star wide receiver Mike Evans, who is on injured reserve and has missed the last five games because of a broken collarbone, participated in the team’s walk-through on a limited basis Wednesday.
Bowles said he’ll have a better idea where Evans stands after he goes through a regular practice.
The beat-up Tampa Bay offense wasn’t at its best in the first game against the Saints, but the defense created four turnovers — including Anthony Nelson’s 3-yard interception return for a touchdown. Chase McLaughlin drilled three field goals of at least 50 yards.
“Any time we play them it’s always who wins the turnover battle,” Bowles said. “Every time, records are out the window. They play hard, we play hard. We know each other pretty well. Whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.”
The first meeting marked New Orleans’ switch from Spencer Rattler to rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback. Shough replaced Rattler in the third quarter and completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards with an interception.
Shough has started the last four games and has shown gradual improvement.
In a 21-17 loss at Miami last Sunday, he passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, rallying the Saints from a 16-point deficit to within 19-17 with a chance to tie with a two-point conversion in the final two minutes. His pass on the attempted conversion was intercepted and returned the other way for two points.
“Tyler’s doing a nice job,” New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore said. “There are highs and lows in every game for every player. He’s gotten better every step of the way. His resiliency showed up (against Miami). He’s gotten a lot of great experience and he continues to grow.”
Four Saints starters missed practice Wednesday – running back Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle), wide receiver Chris Olave (back), tackle Taliese Fuaga (ankle) and safety Justin Reid (knee).
