By Rod Walker | The Advocate
BY NICK KELLY | Special to The Advocate
TAMPA — No matter what happened Sunday, the Saints refused to let the Buccaneers beat them on deep passing plays. Not again.
Not after Tampa Bay gashed the Saints on three passing touchdowns of 35 yards or more in Week 1 that led to 48 points and a Buccaneers victory. The Saints knew they would need to change their defensive approach if they wanted to slow down the NFL’s top passing and overall offense in yards.
“I would say they probably played a little more conservative,” Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate said. “Always played with a safety over the top.”
That adjustment worked and worked well. The Saints limited Tampa Bay to 213 yards and two touchdowns passing en route to a 28-14 victory at Raymond James Stadium. It’s a far cry from the 417 yards passing and four touchdowns allowed in the first matchup.
“We had a bad taste in our mouths after the first game,” Saints safety Vonn Bell said. “We finished it like we wanted to.” ...
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