3. SHAKE BAKE(R)
Having said that, Tampa Bay is coming off a game in which quarterback Baker Mayfield (1,767 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions) attempted 50 passes and the team ran 12 times (Teddy Bridgewater's kneeldown counted as one of those rushing attempts). There's no doubt Mayfield (22 carries for 158 yards) is going to test the Saints' secondary and front seven, because he's mobile and if he's not buying extra time, he's occasionally trying to plow over a defender down the field. The Bucs won't have future Hall of Famer Mike Evans at receiver, but rookie Emeka Egbuka (31 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns) has been their top producer and Mayfield trusts him. Tampa Bay isn't likely to attempt 50 passes Sunday, but it won't be bashful about tossing it around the yard, either. Any quarterback under pressure is a turnover candidate, edge rusher Chase Young and his friends have to apply it.
4. KICK IN THE PANTS
New Orleans' kicking game hasn't been great in any area, and has been below average in the two most visible ones. Kicker Blake Grupe is 14 of 20 on field-goal attempts, including three misses from less than 50 yards. Punter Kai Kroeger is at 34.3 net yards per punt and rarely has flipped the field. The Saints need something – anything – good to happen to recharge the kicking teams.
5. HOLD THE LINE
It's no coincidence that after center Erik McCoy was injured in the third game last season and missed seven straight, New Orleans' offensive production nose-dived. McCoy is that important and, unfortunately, he again is lost for the season due to an injury. Luke Fortner replaced him after McCoy's injury against Chicago and is expected to draw the start. He may not have McCoy's skill and prowess, but he'll need to present a reasonable facsimile of him. As important as McCoy is, the offense can't again fall off a cliff. A team averaging 17.9 points per game – fourth fewest in the league – doesn't have many backward steps to take.