Buccaneers Vs. Saints: New Orleans Defeats Tampa Bay 27-16 In NFC South Battle

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints Final Score: New Orleans Improves To 4-0 At Home, Defeats Tampa Bay 27-16

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally scored a touchdown Sunday, on a five yard pass from Josh Freeman to Kellen Winslow with 5:36 left in the fourth quarter, cutting the New Orleans Saints lead to 24-16, but it was too little too late, as the Saints held the ball for the next four plus minutes, culminating in a John Kasay field goal that would provide the final margin of victory in 27-16 New Orleans win. The Saints improved to 4-0 this season at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Saints held the Buccaneers at bay all day long, behind the arm of Drew Brees and a balanced rushing attack. Brees was 27 of 36 for 258 yards and two scores, also throwing an interception. Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles provided 175 yards on the ground and a score, on a nine yard Thomas run in the third quarter.

Josh Freeman completed 27 of his 37 throws for 281 yards and a touchdown, but received little support from the ground game. LeGarrette Blount carried the ball 13 times for 72 yards, but unfortunately for Blount, the "highlight" of his game was getting flagged for throwing a punch at a New Orleans player.

Tracy Porter of the Saints was injured three plays into the game making a tackle on Buccaneers wideout Mike Williams. Porter had to be carted off the field. The team has yet to provide an update on Porter's injury.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints Score Update: New Orleans Leads 24-6 Entering Fourth Quarter

The New Orleans Saints continue to have their way with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading 24-6 after the third quarter. New Orleans added to their 17-3 halftime lead courtesy of a Pierre Thomas 9 yard run that capped a 12 play, 76 yard drive.

Tampa Bay was only able to muster three points on kicker Connor Barth's second field goal of the game.

The only real "excitement" for Tampa Bay in the third quarter came when running back LeGarrette Blount was flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, after Blount "punched" a Saints player in the helmet. Blount, as you may recall, had a much publicized incident when he was at Oregon, punching a Boise State player after a game.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints: LeGarrette Blount Flagged For 'Punch'

LeGarrette Blount, this is how you build upon a reputation, instead of shedding one:

via assets.sbnation.com

Blount, known to many fans as the guy who punched a Boise State player when he was at Oregon, was just flagged for uneccesary roughness in Tampa Bay's Sunday afternoon matchup with the New Orleans Saints. The game has been chippy from the start, as it is quite obvious these two ballclubs really do not like each other.

Blount's penalty killed the momentum on Tampa Bay's first drive of the second half, and he's lucky Connor Barth still managed to make a 48 yard field goal to get the Buccaneers some points. Tampa Bay trails the Saints 24-6 midway through the third quarter.

So for those keeping score at home, that's 11 carries for 42 yards, and an ill-advised half-punch for Mr. Blount.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints Score Update: Drew Brees, New Orleans Lead Tampa Bay 17-3 At Halftime

The New Orleans Saints have had little trouble moving the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and lead 17-0 at halftime in a battle for the NFC South division lead. Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been his normal efficient and effective self, completing 17 of 23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman was 10 of 14 in the first half, for 133 yards, but has led the Buccaneers on just one scoring drive, netting three points on a Connor Barth 40 yard field goal.

LeGarrette Blount, back for Tampa Bay after missing two games with a MCL sprain, has carried the ball 8 times for 35 yards. Blount had seven of those carries in the first quarter, a wise move given New Orleans' 24th ranked rushing defense coming into this matchup. However, Blount was only handed the ball once in the second quarter as New Orleans took control and stretched a 7-0 lead after the first quarter to a 14 point halftime lead.

The game was delayed just three plays in, as New Orleans defensive back Tracy Porter was injured making a tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams. After both players were done for several minutes, Williams was able to jog off the field, but Porter had to be taken off the field on the medical cart.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints Score Update: Tampa Bay Trails New Orleans 7-0 After First Quarter

The New Orleans Saints stopped Tampa Bay's LeGarrette Blount on a fourth and one play with five minutes left in the first quarter, and marched 66 yards on just five plays on their next possession to take a 7-0 lead over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers after one quarter of play.

Drew Brees found Lance Moore from three yards out to give New Orleans the lead. Brees was six of eight in the quarter for 57 yards and the score.

Blount has been used heavily by Tampa Bay already in his return from a MCL sprain. The Buccaneers running back has 29 yards on seven carries in the first quarter, but as noted above, was stopped on the big fourth and one play.

New Orleans defensive back Tracy Porter was injured on the third play of the game, tackling Tampa wide receiver Mike Williams. Porter had to be carted off the field. Williams, however, has returned to the game.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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VIDEO: Tracy Porter Suffers Injury, Carted Off After Collision With Mike Williams

Just three plays into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game with the New Orleans Saints, Saints defensive back Tracy Porter was injured making a tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams. Both players stayed on the turf for quite some time, before Williams was able to jog off the field on his own. Porter, however, was not so lucky. Via the Sants official twitter feed:

Video of the tackle:

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Tampa Bay Injury Report And Inactive List, Week 9: Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount Is Active

Via the Tampa Bay Buccaneers official team twitter feed, the Bucs Week 9 inactives for their huge NFC South matchup with the New Orleans Saints:

Tim Crowder, DE
Zac Diles, LB
James Lee, T
Myron Lewis, DB
Sammie Stroughter, WR
Jeremy Zuttah, OG
Frank Okam, DT

The big news for Tampa Bay is the return of running back LeGarrette Blount to the starting lineup. Blount has missed the last two games with a sprained MCL, and is sorely needed in the backfield with Earnest Graham lost for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Blount has 328 rushing yards and three touchdowns in five games for Tampa Bay this year, and if healthy should be able to punish a New Orleans defense that ranks just 24th in the NFL against the run, surrendering 124.1 yards per game on the ground.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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New Orleans Injury Report And Inactive List, Week 9: Saints Without RB Mark Ingram, LB Jonathan Vilma

The New Orleans Saints will be without important pieces on both offense and defense Sunday afternoon when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a battle for first place in the NFC South. Via the Saints official team twitter feed, the inactives for New Orleans in their matchup with the Buccaneers:

Mark Ingram, RB
Jonathan Vilma, LB
Johnny Patrick, DB
Korey Hall, RB
Ray Willis, T
Adrian Arrington, WR
Jeff Charleston, DE

Ingram, New Orleans' first round pick, leads the team with 329 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground. He was also held out of last week's surprising loss 31-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Vilma will be missed on a defense that already struggles, particularly against the run, allowing 124.1 yards a game on the ground, ranking them 24th in the NFL.

For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints: Jonathan Vilma's Knee Keeps Him Out Of Practice All Week

The word ‘parity’ and the phrase ‘Any Given Sunday’ are thrown around frequently in the National Football League. For good reason too. Just look at what happened in St. Louis last Sunday. The 0-7 Rams trounced the New Orleans Saints 31-21, in a game that was not really as close as the final score suggested.

The Saints look to rebound this Sunday when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also lost in their last game, a Week 7 defeat to the Bears in London. All that is at stake Sunday is first place in the NFC South at the midway point of the 2011 schedule.

We’ve already taken a look at Tampa Bay’s injury situation heading into Week 9. Here’s the injury and practice report filed by the Saints Friday afternoon.

OUT: RB Mark Ingram (heel)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)
PROBABLE: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (ankle), DE Junior Galette (knee), DT Shaun Rogers (illness), T Zach Strief (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday RB Mark Ingram (heel), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)
Thursday: RB Mark Ingram (heel), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)
Friday: RB Mark Ingram (heel), DT Shaun Rogers (illness), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (ankle), DE Junior Galette (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion)
Thursday: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (ankle), DE Junior Galette (knee), T Zach Strief (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion)
Friday: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (ankle), DE Junior Galette (knee), T Zach Strief (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion)

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints: Josh Freeman Practices With Bandage On Thumb Friday

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to rebound from a Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears in London when they travel to New Orleans to play the Saints Sunday afternoon. A day after ‘Thumbgate’ broke, Josh Freeman practiced fully on Friday, albeit with a protective bandage on his injured thumb. According to Buccaneers Insider Craig Smith, Freeman looked good in practice, ‘zipping passes to his receivers without any apparent discomfort or limitation.’ Good news on that front Bucs fans.

Other good news includes the full return of rookie DT Gerald McCoy, who had injured his ankle against the 49ers and missed the first matchup against New Orleans. He’ll join Brian Price in the middle of the Bucs defensive line, and hopefully provide Tampa Bay with a much-needed boost collapsing the pocket and forcing Drew Brees out of his comfort zone.

Fellow rookie Mason Foster is apparently returning to full strength after being slowed somewhat in recent weeks by lingering pain in both ankles. Raheem Moriss said his versatile, play-making linebacker has looked good in practice this week:

“He looked great this week. He was full participation and everything. This is probably the best I’ve seen him look in three or four weeks.”

Stay tuned here and at Bucs Nation for more updates about the Buccaneers and Saints leading up to Sunday’s pivotal NFC South matchup in New Orleans.

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Saints Injury Report, Week 9: Two Important Players Miss Practice Thursday

The New Orleans Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, looking to avoid a season sweep. Their injury report for this week isn't expansive, but it does have some important names on it. Let's run it down.

Only two players missed practice on Thursday, but they are crucial to the Saints attack on both sides of the ball. Running back Mark Ingram and linebacker Jonathan Vilma with heel and knee injuries respectively. Ingram is crucial for the Buccaneers running attack and Vilma is the quarterback of the defense. Neither has been ruled out for SUnday, but if they are limited, it could be to the Buccaneers advantage.

There were a host of players that were listed with various ailments but were full participants in practice. They are linebacker Jonathan Casillas (knee), defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (ankle), defensive end Junior Galette (knee), tackle Zach Strief (knee) and tight end David Thomas (concussion).

We'll have more on this game throughout the week in this StoryStream. For more on the Bucs, head over to our Tampa Bay blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Saints, check out Canal Street Chronicles.

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Buccaneers Injury Report, Week 9: Buccaneers Will Be Relatively Healthy When They Play Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head to New Orleans this weekend to try and sweep the New Orleans Saints, and luckily they will be pretty healthy when they make the trip.

Four players did not participate in practice, but only three were related to injuries. Kellen Winslow did not practice, but the reason given was "not injury related." The players who missed practice for injury reasons where safety Tanard Jackson (hamstring), defensive tackle Frank Okam (calf) and guard Jeremy Zuttah (knee).

The injury reports also lists players that were full participants in practice but are still being affected by injuries. Those players are LaGarrette Blount (knee), Jeff Faine (biceps), Mason Foster (ankle), Josh Freeman (right thumb), Gerald McCoy (ankle), Brian Price (Illness) and Sammie Stroughter (ankle).

We'll have more on this game throughout the week in this StoryStream. For more on the Bucs, head over to our Tampa Bay blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Saints, check out Canal Street Chronicles.

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Week 9 NFL Lines And Odds: Buccaneers Vs. Saints

Coming off a well-deserved bye after playing a game in London, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) visit the New Orleans Saints (5-3) this Sunday, Nov. 6, looking to sweep the season-series from their NFC South rivals. The Bucs seized the division lead from New Orleans following their 26-20 victory on Oct. 16, but their reign ended the following weekend when they fell to the Chicago Bears in London.

The Saints can stay atop the division with a victory, which is precisely what the oddsmakers project them to do. According to SB Nation partner OddsShark, New Orleans opened as 7.5-point favorites in their rematch against Tampa Bay, with the line moving further in New Orleans' favor in the days since; one outlet favors the Saints by as much as 9.5 points.

The over-under is at or around 50 in most outlets, which clearly favors New Orleans' high-powered offense, which ranks No. 2 in the NFL at 32.5 points per game. It'll be incumbent on the Bucs' defense to suppress Drew Brees and company. Otherwise, the team risks dropping to .500 and losing even more ground to the Saints in the division race.

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Saints Injury Report, Week 9: Mark Ingram Out, Jonathan Vilma Still Hampered By Knee Injury

All the talk surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints is the status of Josh Freeman's right thumb. The Bucs signal caller injured it during Tampa Bay's Week 7 loss against the Chicago Bears in London. The injury is being dubbed 'Thumb Gate' because of the conflicting reports coming from the media and the Buccaneers' coaching staff.

The Saints meanwhile have seen two key players miss the first two days of practice this week -- RB Mark Ingram (heel) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee). Ingram has already been ruled out for Week 9. He sat out Week 8 as well. RB Chris Ivory was activated and added to the roster this week though to play in his place. Vilma has been missing practices for several weeks now while dealing with the knee injury. It has not prevented him from suiting up and playing on Sundays however.

Here's the full Thursday injury report for New Orleans:

Did Not Practice (Injury)

• RB Mark Ingram (Heel)
• LB Jonathan Vilma (Knee)

Full Participation (Injury)

• DE Junior Galette (Knee)
• DT Sedrick Ellis (Ankle)
• LB Jonathan Casillas (Knee)
• TE David Thomas (Concussion)
• OT Zach Strief (Knee)

For more Saints and Buccaneers coverage, visit Canal Street Chronicles and Bucs Nation respectively.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report, Week 9: LeGarrette Blount Full Go

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the practice fields today after their bye week to get ready for their NFC South match up with the New Orleans Saints. In some great news for the Bucs, running back LeGarrette Blount returned to practice in full today and looks to be ready to go."My recovery was a little bit faster than what we thought, so everything is going real well. It's looking good for this week," Blount told the St. Petersburg Times. "I've been running for the last couple weeks. The fatigue is not going to play a factor in how I perform.''

Only two players for the Bucs didn't go in practice today, defensive tackle Brian Price (illness) and guard Jeremy Zuttah (knee). Defensive tackle Frank Okam was limited with a calf injury as well. Both Price and Okan are expected to play against the Saints on Sunday.

For more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visit SB Nation's Bucs blog Bucs Nation.

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LeGarrette Blount Injury Update: Bucs RB Back From MCL Injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got good news this week after the bye week. Running back LeGarrette Blount is expected to be back this week as the Bucs take on NFC South opponent New Orleans Saints. Blount had missed a few weeks with an MCL injury. While he was out, back up running back and third down back Earnest Graham went down for the season with an Achilles injury.

Blount's return lets the Bucs get back to their power offense running the football and it's likely to mean more overall touches for Blount, due to Graham's absence. "Oh yeah, I know I'm going to play third downs in this game,'' Blount told the St. Petersburg Times. "I'm probably not going to play all of them, but I know I'm going to play quite a few of them." Previously, Blount had been primarily used on first and second downs, short yardage, and on the goal line. This could be the next step for Blount to prove he can be a feature back.

We'll have more on this game throughout the week in this StoryStream. For more on the Bucs, head over to our Tampa Bay blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Saints, check out Canal Street Chronicles.

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Fantasy Football Week 9 Start/Sit: Will Any Buccaneers Have Success Against The Saints?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off of a bye this week against the New Orleans Saints, and despite recent trends this season, the bye could give them more time to be prepared for their division rival. How that will play out on the field remains to be seen, but it could be a nice little boost for an offensively inconsistent Bucs team. Does that mean that they could help your Fantasy lineup? Let's run it down.

Josh Freeman had arguably his best game of the season the last time these two teams got together, so he might be in line for a big performance this week as well. Our pals at numberFire project him to get just over 15 points this week, which is pretty solid but not spectacular.

LeGarette Blount could be coming back from injury, and he is projected to get just over 13. If he is totally healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if he surpassed that total because there is really no one else on the roster worth giving carries to.

Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn could each have big days against the Saints, as Benn did last time. They won't win you your week, but they will be very adequate replacements for someone with a bye.

Kellen Winslow continues to be a solid if unspectacular fantasy option, and is worth playing if you don't have an elite tight end on your roster already.

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Buccaneers Vs. Saints: Tampa Bay Looks For Season Sweep Of Rival New Orleans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will to New Orleans this weekend looking for a season sweep of the NFC South Division leading Saints.