"It's a big game for us, our biggest one of the year," Evans said. "Last time I had some opportunities I wish I could have capitalized on. I look forward to capitalizing on them this Saturday."
"The first thing you measure a quarterback by is success," Payton said of Winston. "He's a fantastic leader. There's a way about him that understands and appreciates winning and you kind of feel it when you watch him play. ... There's a little magic about him that I think rubs off on his teammates."
The Buccaneers could win one of their final two games and make the playoffs, but would need considerable help.
QB COMPARISON: Saints coach Sean Payton asserts that Winston is having an exceptional season — particularly for a second-year pro — even if his statistical accomplishments have fallen far short of the numbers an elite QB such as Brees has put up.
"We've shown that we can beat the best and battle with the best," Winston said.
EAGER EVANS: The Buccaneers are hoping to get Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans, who has a career-best 84 receptions for 1,159 yards, more involved in their offense again. The third-year pro is tied for first in the NFC with 10 touchdown receptions. However, he doesn't have any in the past three weeks while being limited to 11 receptions for 139 yards by the Chargers, Saints and Cowboys.
New Orleans limited him to four catches for 42 yards, and Evans — a first-time Pro Bowl selection — sounds eager for another shot at the Saints' secondary.
"I just know him," McCoy said. "I've been around him, so I'm mentally prepared."
As it is, Tampa Bay (8-6) might not make the playoffs even by reaching 10 victories.
The Bucs don't seem to lack confidence in their ability to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
QUICK TURNAROUND: Not only are these teams meeting for the second time in three weeks, but also on a short week, with this game being just six days after each team's previous game.
That might be easier said than done against the Buccaneers defense, whose 26 takeaways rank third in the NFL.
Bucs middle linebacker Kwon Alexander,Cheap China Jerseys, a second-year pro out of LSU, agreed.
"It's not going to be something new or magical," said Saints running back Tim Hightower, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns against the Cardinals. "We had three turnovers last game" in Tampa Bay.
Last weekend, the Bucs fell 26-20 at NFC-leading Dallas. But they might have pulled out that game if not for four turnovers, including Winston's late-game interception.

NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY: Tampa Bay not only intercepted Brees three times, but also held the Saints star without a TD pass in the first meeting.
This time,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, Hightower said, the Saints don't need to alter their scheme so much as "do a better job of executing this game and sustaining drives and get in the end zone."
"Yeah,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, it starts now," Winston said this week. "It's a game that we've got to win."
Here are some other story lines surrounding Tampa Bay's high-stakes visit to the Big Easy:
"We know we're going to get his best shot," Alexander said, "but he's going to get our best shot, too."
Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who trains with the New Orleans quarterback during the offseason, noted how well his friend played last Sunday.
So,Cheap NFL Jerseys Store, realistically, the Buccaneers figure they have to win out against the Saints (6-8) this weekend and against Carolina in the regular-season finale.
"That's the whole chess match part of playing somebody this close together is both staffs have to decide what plays are you leaving in,Wholesale China Jerseys, what plays are you taking out and what are you replacing them with," Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter said. "You never know how much they're going to change either. You can't just assume they're going to go out and play exactly the same."
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston figures the Buccaneers give themselves their best chance at a playoff berth by acting as if the postseason starts early — as in, Saturday in New Orleans.
"He went and did what Drew does. He bounced back and had an incredible game," McCoy said, adding that he's pretty sure Brees is looking forward to having another crack at the Bucs defense.
Winston has 948 fewer yards passing, nine fewer TDs and one more interception than Brees, who also has completed a significantly higher percentage of throws (71.1 percent) than Winston (60.8 percent).