Bucs vs. Saints: Top storylines for Tampa Bay in Week 13

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to sweep the New Orleans Saints in the regular season for the first time since 2007, as their NFC South rivals come to town Monday night for another prime-time showdown.

Here are the top storylines for the Bucs heading into his division matchup:

Crossroads Game

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

The result of this game could have a huge impact on how the rest of the season goes for the Bucs. Despite having a losing record at 5-6, Tampa Bay remains in first place in the NFC South for now, controlling their own destiny for another division title and a home playoff game.

If they beat the Saints, they’re back at .500 with another division win under their belt. If they lose, the Bucs fall to 5-7, and it opens the door for the Atlanta Falcons to take over the top spot. There are much tougher opponents ahead for Tampa Bay, so if they want to make another postseason run, they can’t afford to drop this one.

Sweep Revenge

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Outside of the big-picture implications, this matchup gives Tampa Bay the opportunity to give the Saints a dose of their own medicine. New Orleans has swept the Bucs in the regular season in each of the past three years, but after a 20-10 road win back in Week 2, a victory Monday night would give Tampa Bay their first regular-season sweep of the Saints since 2007.

There’s more on the line in this one than bragging rights, but after such a long stretch of regular-season struggles against one of their most bitter rivals, the Bucs would love to take those back with a big win here.

Injury Updates

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All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) is the only Bucs player who has been officially ruled out for this matchup, but starting safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and Mike Edwards (hamstring) are both listed as doubtful, as is No. 3 cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad).

Tampa Bay has six players listed as questionable, including starting defensive linemen Vita Vea (foot) and Akiem Hicks (foot), and running back Leonard Fournette (hip).

Four players are out for the Saints, and six are questionable, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen).

Story originally appeared on Buccaneers Wire