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The Bucs have serious plans for their matchup against the Saints, aiming to extract positive aspects from the duel. Tampa Bay is aware of the opportunity ahead and the challenge they face. One of the team's key players, Baker Mayfield, has also shared his impressions about what’s to come.
In a media interview, Mayfield discussed the tough task ahead, especially considering the strength of the Saints' defense. He specifically mentioned Demario Davis, highlighting his ability to read the game and prevent opposing offenses from making plays. Mayfield analyzed Davis’s performance, stressing their familiarity with each other, and it will be interesting to see how their matchup unfolds.
“Obviously, Demario Davis [just] with the amount of experience he has, he is able to recognize things very quickly, he [is] obviously a very physical player when it comes to the run game and in play-action he adds on quickly to try and make you get the ball out,” Mayfield said, as quoted by pewterreport.
“He might not exactly be blitzing on some of these plays, but he recognizes it and forces you to get the ball out."
Baker Mayfield emphasized the strengths of the Saints' defensive players, particularly highlighting Pete Werner as a great player. He stressed that the Werner and Demario Davis duo creates a tough linebacker pairing that effectively complements each other's play. This coordination makes it difficult for offenses to operate in the middle of the field. Mayfield also pointed out Tyrann Mathieu’s extensive experience, which contributes to his ability to recognize patterns and anticipate plays. Additionally, he mentioned Marshon Lattimore’s physical style of play, further underscoring the overall strength and athleticism of the Saints’ defense.
The 29-year-old is aware that their opponent has many quality players who can make a difference on the field. He emphasizes that this team has leaders with aggression and everything needed for success. There is a lot that makes the Saints a strong team, but it will be important to send them the right message and try to compete with them in every aspect of the game. Baker admits that they have conducted analyses and tracked details, all with the aim of completely eliminating the opponent and cutting them off during the match. He is aware that this is an extremely difficult task, but he doesn’t lose faith in his team.
“[It’s] just an aggressive team,” Mayfield said.
“They have some of their key leaders that are always down there, aggressive and physical down there in tight spots. [They have] guys that understand concepts. They’re able to react and close some of these windows with the pass game quickly, or just [be] physical up front, not really letting you get off the ball and establish that line of scrimmage. So, for us, it’s really, really about the details when it comes down to the redzone offense. It’s going to be a tough ballgame when it comes down to that area of the field, but we have to find a way to execute.”
Liam Coen analyzed the opponent
Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator, is a key figure in Mayfield's success this season and his impressive performances. Coen has also analyzed the team, being aware of their strengths and weaknesses that could be exploited by opponents.
Coen pointed out that the opposing team has some real playmakers who can create turnovers and make big plays when they get the ball. He stressed the importance of getting Mike Evans involved early, as his performance often drives the success of their offense. Coen also noted that the other team adjusts their game plan based on the matchups they face; sometimes playing man coverage, other times going with a three-deep look or their Tampa-2 defense. So, they need to have a solid strategy and be ready to adapt during the game depending.
Coen mentioned that the opposing team uses a variety of defensive front structures, like under and over formations, making it hard to predict their strategies.
Teams like this are usually tough to play against due to their unpredictability and the various tactics they might employ. This team has shown time and again that they often have a winning formula against their opponents, both this season and in previous ones. What the Buccaneers can do is conduct a thorough analysis, as they have done, to pinpoint the biggest weaknesses in their opponents' game.
He emphasized the importance of starting quickly to help their offense find a rhythm and ensure everyone gets involved early on. This will allow them to assess how to best attack the defense as the game progresses, particularly focusing on both the run and
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