Buc Off!
We think it was the great Counting Crows who forecasted what Saints fans are in for starting this weekend: A LONG December. We Chicks can’t begin to think about Rudolph and Claus. We’ve got Ronde and Carnell on the brain. Forget the Egg Nog daiquiris. This season calls for something with kick, like Nola Chick’s Pirate Punch. We don’t have time to spend, spend, spend. For now all we can focus on is win, win, win! And even if we can shanghai the Buccaneers on Sunday, it’ll be back to the same old grind next week against those funky Falcons.
All this pressure has left the Chicks on edge. But here’s one thing we know for certain. We refuse to let a 37 year old, down low QB be the Grinch who steals our Christmas. And while old man Garcia may be sidelined due to back problems this Sunday (it happens when you spend a lot of time bending over) Coach Chucky knows this is a big game, one he can’t risk leaving in the hands of backups Bruce Gradkowksi or Luke McCown. When Garcia went down (pun intendned) last week in the Redskins game, Gradkowski stepped in and leaned heavily on his defense which forced six turnovers. Those turnovers led to all of the Bucs 19 points. (Are you paying attention Drew!!!)
If Garcia does play, the Saints’ defense needs to flush him out of the pocket because he won’t have his usual mobility. But even a slow Garcia is dangerous because he’s always a playmaker. If Gradkowski or McCown start in his place, the defense needs to make short work of their confidence by getting some early sacks. A staunch pass rush is the key to success regardless of who starts.
The Saints are struggling with their own bumps and bruises. Pierre Thomas may not play because of a bruised kidney. If Pierre can’t suit up, the Saints will probably activate Jamaal Branch off the practice squad to keep three running backs in the play-calling mix. Branch saw playing time with the Saints last season so he should be able to get in the groove quickly. Reggie Bush is still dealing with a bruised shin and has sat out parts of practices but is expected to play.
The Saints will need to protect the ball and rotate through all of their offensive weapons to fend off the predatory Buccaneer defense. Tampa Bay has a +11 turnover margin this season. (Seriously Drew, are you getting all this down?) The Saints are at -7 so you know the Bucs’ corners can’t help but have visions of poorly thrown passes dancing in their heads.
Meanwhile, the Saints’ defense needs to be wary of Tampa Bay’s wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard. Joey Galloway traditionally lights up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree when he plays the Saints. Problem is, if we focus exclusively on Galloway, Hilliard gets an opportunity to make his own big plays against a certain Saints corner who definitely deserves a lump of coal in his stocking.
Wanna know how big this game is? The NFL moved it to 3:15PM making it a featured late match up. The fans will benefit from the later game time because they will be well rested and well lubricated for lots of yelling. We will rise to Sean Payton’s challenge to make it super loud in the Superdome. If our boys show up, we just might find ourselves in the mood to deck the halls. If they don’t, God only knows who we might deck.
Chicks Prediction: Saints 27 - Bucs 21
By Chick-a-Dee
Filed under: Chicks Break it Down, Chicks in the Huddle, nfl week 13
