Defense knows they have to be precise, and fast

The Saints have a rare ability to torment the seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time league MVP. Last week’s 9-0 win followed a different script (the Saints beat them 36-27 in Week 8), and the Panthers have had to pay for that in the past. Last year, a week after the Saints held the Bucs to three points, Brady came to Charlotte and dropped 46 on the Panthers.

Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow said there are systemic things the Panthers can do to mirror the Saints’ game plan. In general, he said, they try to be physical with the Bucs, and they have the kind of cover players and pressure that can make it work — in theory.

“New Orleans has their number; why I don’t know,” Snow said. “They do some things we do, and some things we don’t do. What they do do is make plays. Match up well against them, and they really try to bully Tampa. And they get pressure up front. They make plays in the back row, and they pressure up front.

“You can try to copy that, but you have to make plays like they do. Got to rush as well as they do and cover as well as they do. Bottom line, it comes down to how you execute.”