Rivalry Week has a way of making coaches lose some sleep and players see red. You can almost smell the animosity emanating from this one. But amid everything, Todd Bowles might just have a smirk on his face at the cost of Kellen Moore’s loss.
Bowles has spent years in the NFC South trenches and is well aware of this particular dance, particularly the Saints rivalry. It’s personal. However, this time it appears as though Bowles sees an opportunity in a situation that normally would have put him in a bind.
The Walking Wounded: Saints’ Star Receiver in Doubt
Friday brought news that could potentially disrupt the Saints’ passing attack. Back spasms have forced star wideout Chris Olave to be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Yes, the player who fuels the Saints’ passing attack may miss the game. On Wednesday, Kellen Moore attempted to remain upbeat while discussing the status of Olave. “It’s a back so obviously, you play a full game the way he did, obviously it’s going to be sore,” he said. “So, he’s just navigating that.” That’s coach speak for ‘we are in trouble.’
In 2025, Olave has accumulated 78 receptions for 781 yards. He lines up at each of the three receiver positions and runs all types of routes. Without Olave, the Saints’ offense will be predictable. And in today’s NFL, predictability is usually not enough to generate success.
Chris Olave is officially questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bucs, per Kellen Moore.
Alvin Kamara, Taliese Fuaga and Justin Reid are OUT. #Saints pic.twitter.com/ysYqogCTH0
— SleeperSaints (@SleeperSaints) December 5, 2025
The blows continue to fall for Moore. Alvin Kamara, Taliese Fuaga, and Justin Reid have all been ruled out. That’s three starters gone. Poof. Just like that. The Saints’ defense currently ranks 22nd in points allowed. Now they will be missing some vital parts. This is like trying to stop a freight train with a bicycle.
Tampa Bay’s pass defense ranks 29th in the NFL, which isn’t good. However, with Olave possibly being absent due to injury, that’s a ‘get-right’ game for Bowles. Bowles’ secondary receives the break it desperately needed.
Bowles Defense Smells Blood in the Water
Todd Bowles broke down Olave’s film earlier this week. “Well, they move him around,” Bowles said to reporter Casey Phillips. “He plays all three positions. He plays X, he plays Z, he plays slot, he runs shallow routes, he runs deep routes, and they’re really moving him and getting him the ball every way possible, trying to expose his ability that way. So, we got to make sure we know where he is at all times.” That was last Thursday. By Friday, Bowles may not even have to know where he is at all.
Jamel Dean leads the NFL cornerbacks by allowing a passer rating of 26.6. He has not given up a touchdown since Dec. ’23, which means he has not given up a touchdown for nearly two full calendar years. Dean will line up across from Kevin Austin Jr., instead of Olave. While Austin has potential, he is no Olave. This matchup is a dramatic shift as the Bucs are slowly getting playmakers off the injury list.
Historically, the rivalry has worked in favor of Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have won six of the last seven matchups between these two teams. If the Buccaneers were able to win their next matchup, it would be their fourth consecutive victory over the Saints, which would be their first time in franchise history. Bowles recognizes the importance of this matchup. “Anytime we play them, it’s always who wins the turnover battle—every time,” he said. “The records are out the window.”
For Baker Mayfield, it is quite simple. “We don’t like them,” he said. “They don’t like us.” That’s the type of energy that Todd Bowles wants. Straightforward, nasty, and angry. With Olave injured and likely sitting out, that anger could be enough to help the Buccaneers overcome any obstacles they may encounter. And this is a break that Bowles cannot afford to waste.
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