By Mike Triplett & Jenna Laine | ESPN Staff Writers
The NFC South is just getting warmed up.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) and New Orleans Saints (5-2) were already embroiled in one of the NFL's most compelling division battles heading into Sunday night's crucial showdown in Tampa (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). Now they're about to add two of the greatest receivers of the past decade for the second half of the season: Antonio Brown and Michael Thomas.
Brown will make his debut with the Bucs, appearing in his first game in 14 months. Thomas, meanwhile, appears likely to play for the first time since he suffered a high ankle sprain at the end of New Orleans' Week 1 victory over the Buccaneers.
Thomas is officially listed as questionable. But he practiced all week on a limited basis, and a source told ESPN's Dianna Russini that he is expected to play.
Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said Brown could play somewhere between 10 and 35 snaps on Sunday. Saints coach Sean Payton -- who respected Brown's talent enough to bring him in for a tryout in New Orleans late last season -- said that could be enough for the four-time first-team All-Pro to make an impact.
"You know, one big play at the wrong time could [be a game-changer]. And it doesn't require 11 catches," Payton said. "He's explosive and smart. He understands football.
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