TAMPA, Fla. — Todd Bowles didn’t tap into emotional tugs from the recent Bucs-Saints history much during his news conference Wednesday.
The Bucs head coach said he couldn’t sense a different mentality from players yet because it’s “only Wednesday.” They still had more “homework,” more mental and physical preparation ahead of them before facing the division opponent that has defeated them in the last seven regular-season meetings dating to 2018 — and in six of seven games, including playoffs, since Bowles started as defensive coordinator in 2019.
But his message to the team was more direct.
“It’s not a rivalry unless there’s some give and take,” tackle Tristan Wirfs recalled Bowles saying.
That means this year’s edition of the Bucs need to leave a mark on the rivalry, outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett said. Tampa Bay won the lone playoff meeting between the teams during this stretch in January 2021, but otherwise, everything has tilted in favor of New Orleans.
“When it counted in the playoffs, we got it done,” safety Mike Edwards said. “But we can’t keep taking an ‘L’ to these guys.”
A variety of reasons have contributed to those losses, Wirfs said. One game, it could have been penalties. That came in October 2021, when the Bucs committed 11. Other times, when the Bucs controlled those penalties, it could have been turnovers. Quarterback Tom Brady has multiple turnovers — fumbles plus interceptions — in nine regular-season games since joining the Bucs, and four came against the Saints.
New Orleans has a “good scheme,” Bowles said. They’ve executed better than the Bucs, too. But, Wirfs said, it’s “kind of our time to give them one, to give it back to them.”
“When we do (play our best game),” Wirfs said, “I think it’s gonna be awesome.”
