Saints vs Bucs Week 15 Predictions, Picks, and Preview: Can Tampa Bay Clinch the NFC South?

(Photo : Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a 58-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman #16 (not pictured) in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the brink of clinching its first division title in 14 years following their overtime win over the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium. A win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 will help seal the NFC South crown for Tampa Bay. Can the Bucs grab the victory over their archrivals and earn home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs? Here's a breakdown of the Saints vs Bucs showdown.

New Orleans Saints installed as +11 underdogs

The New Orleans Saints finally snapped their five-game losing skid on Sunday with a comprehensive 30-9 victory over the New York Jets. It was a significant win for the Saints, who improved their slate to 6-7 and remained in the hunt for a wild card spot in the NFC. The Saints are currently in a five-way tie for seventh place with the Washington Football Team, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Atlanta Falcons heading into Week 15.

Alvin Kamara made a triumphant return to the Saints after missing four games due to knee and hamstring injuries. He ran for 120 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in the win against the Jets. It was Kamara's fifth career 100-yard rushing performance in the NFL.

For the Saints to complete another regular-season sweep of the Bucs this Sunday night, they will need Taysom Hill to replicate his outstanding performance in Week 14. He was superb in the win against the Jets, completing 15 of 21 passes for 175 yards and running for 73 yards on 11 carries despite playing with a mallet finger.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 15 as -11 favorites

Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to four games with a thrilling 33-27 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. It was a huge victory for the Bucs, who maintained their four-game advantage atop the NFC South standings with four regular-season games left in their schedule.

To no one's surprise, Tom Brady dealt the dagger blow to the Bills. He threw the game-winning 58-yard touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman in overtime to seal the walk-off win for the Bucs. It was another historic moment for Brady as that was his 700th touchdown pass in the NFL (regular season and postseason combined).

Brady continued his mastery of the Bills as he improved to 33-3 against Buffalo in his storied career. This victory, however, did not come easy for the Bucs as they nearly squandered a 21-point lead in the second half.

The Bills scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. They had the ball to start the extra period but quickly yielded possession to the Bucs, setting the stage for Brady's late heroics.