Saturday, 4 a.m.
Considering the size of his legend, Taysom Hill is a bit short on accomplishments.
He has started six NFL games, and he's lost two of those. He's thrown 204 passes, lifetime. He has one 100-yard rushing day. He's thrown for only six touchdowns.
And still, there is something about Hill that should make the Bucs' secondary nervous.
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That secondary? Heck, it was born nervous, and it's been quaking ever since. Average quarterbacks are good against the Bucs, and good quarterbacks are great, and great quarterbacks are applying to the Hall of Fame as we speak. The Bucs are star-makers, laying far off of receivers, content to allow 11-yard passes on third and nine.
And here comes Hill, a sensational athlete who has played running back and receiver and now quarterback for the Saints. And seeing what one great athlete -- Josh Allen -- did to the Bucs a week ago, it's enough to keep the Bucs up at night.
You need a reminder of what quarterbacks have done to this team? Of the 403 yards by Dak Prescott or the 134.0 rating by Matt Stafford? Or the rescue job that Trevor Siemien pulled off or the fire that Tyler Heinicke lit? Oh, the Bucs have had a couple of good days -- they embarrassed Justin Fields of the Bears and all of their defensive tackles were open against the Giants and Daniel Jones. But they haven't stopped retreating in many games.
That brings on Hill, whose athleticism isn't questioned, and whose teammates remain talented. Hill can do damage to an opponent. The key for Tampa Bay will be to limit that damage.
Meanwhile, the Bucs' offense has had its own struggles against the Saints. Tom Brady seems to turn mortal, and Mike Evans ordinary, when they line up against New Orleans.
Will it be different this time? We'll see. The Bucs are at home, where they have been very good, and Saints' coach Sean Payton will miss the game due to COVID. If the Bucs can contain Hill -- and Alvin Kamara -- they should be able to get by this one.
Barely.
Tampa Bay 23, New Orleans 21.
In other NFL games:
New England 30, Indianapolis 24.
Buffalo 31, Carolina 13.
L.A.Rams 27, Seattle 20.