NEW ORLEANS, La. (WFLA) — Every game against a divisional opponent is important, but for the Bucs, Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints carries a little extra meaning.

Obviously, the team want to get the taste of their late-game collapse to the Falcons out of their mouth, but they also know that a win on Sunday could bring some joy to a Tampa Bay region that hasn’t had much lately after being ravaged by Hurricane Milton. 

“We’re not even just playing for just football now. We’re trying to play for something a little bit bigger,” said Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans. 

“This could be a sort of Sunday to give the people of Florida, especially around our area, some hope and something to look forward to watching,” added quarterback Baker Mayfield. 

The good news for the Bucs is they’ll be getting starters back from injury. Starting defensive lineman is set to make his season debut on Sunday, starting right tackle Luke Goedeke cleared concussion protocol, and all-pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is a game-time decision after practicing this week in a limited capacity.

It wasn’t all good news for the Bucs on the injury front, though. The team lost starting center Graham Barton to a hamstring injury. Veteran Robert Hainsey will start at center on Sunday.

The Saints are dealing with their own set of injuries. Starting QB Derek Carr will miss Sunday’s game with an oblique injury, so rookie Spencer Rattler will draw the start for New Orleans.

We’ll see if the Bucs can use that extra motivation Evans and Mayfield talked about to get a much needed win against the Saints, and keep pace with the Falcons for first place in the NFC South.