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3 Reasons Saints Are Still Better Than the Bucs

By Steven Kubitza

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the talk of the NFL now that Tom Brady is headed south to join the team. Yet, the Bucs have not been to the postseason since 2007. The New Orleans Saints have won the NFC South three years straight and don't look to be slowing down. There are several reasons as to why the Saints are still better than the Bucs, so Tampa Bay fans should slow their roll.

3. Maintained Status Quo

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees is back on a new deal.
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees is back on a new deal. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The Saints have posted back-to-back 13-3 seasons with Drew Brees at quarterback. The veteran teased retirement before coming back on a two-year deal. New Orleans also signed Malcolm Jenkins, while players like Marshon Lattimore and Michael Thomas should only continue to get better. The Bucs had major question marks outside of Jameis Winston and one player can't solve those issues. Brees departing would have led to a transition period. His return should keep the Saints as a playoff lock.

2. Solidified Defensive Line

The New Orleans Saints are strong up front on defense.
The New Orleans Saints are strong up front on defense. / Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

The Saints signed David Onyemata to a three-year extension at the start of free agency. He had 32 tackles and three sacks last season. Sheldon Rankins will also return after finishing the season on injured reserve. The Bucs allowed Jameis Winston to get sacked 47 times last season. Tom Brady is not the most mobile quarterback and it will be hard to get much time to throw behind his line when taking on the Saints.

1. Concerns Surrounding Tom Brady

Tom Brady struggled throughout 2019.
Tom Brady struggled throughout 2019. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Tom Brady was not surrounded with much talent in 2019. However, he still started 16 games and finished with the marks of 4,057 yards and 24 touchdowns. Those numbers are still not bad, but it's not like he is headed south after one of his best years. Brady is going to be 43 years old in August and a decline could come quick, especially when switching teams during a year when a lot of offseason activities could be cancelled.