Week 1 Key Matchup To Watch: White vs Brees

This Sunday, our BUCS visit New Orleans to kick off the 2020 season.

There’s been a lot of talk of a Playoff appearance and a Super Bowl in Tampa all summer. But it’s times to serious about what’s in front of the Team.

And what’s in front of us, first up, is a potential first ballot Hall Of Fame QB.

While many will focus on Tom Brady vs Drew Brees as a matchup to lure in viewers, the real matchup to pay close attention to is between Brees and MLB Devin White. It’ll be those two on the field at the same time matching wits and controlling their respective sides of the ball. This key matchup was brought up by Football Outsider’s Thomas Bassinger on the latest podcast.

Drew Brees has had a pretty good run going against Tampa. He’s now 18-10 having thrown 55 TDs to 27 INTs.

In last year’s lone meeting in Week 11, Brees had his way in that duel. However, Devin White was a rookie and inexperienced at the time.

Brees went on to complete 12 passes on 12 targets in the direction of Devin White.

It’s important to note that targets don’t exactly mean White was matched up one-on-one with the offensive player that received the ball. That’s a bit of context that oftentimes an overlooked or misunderstood.

Here are some the plays and scenarios to look for Sunday that will highlight the battle of wits between Devin White and that QB from New Orleans.

The pre-snap reads are gonna be crucial. Brees switches up plays and matchups constantly.

Here, Brees moves Kamara to get isolated on White.

White gets antsy and tries to cut off Kamara’s route to the outside leaving him wide open in the middle of the field.

Again, another pre-snap change from Brees. On 2nd and 7, with a safety 13 yards off and White the nearest defender in the zone, Brees goes his way for a quick yards.

With White’s experience and studying in the offseason, he’ll likely be better in recognizing and adjusting this season.

Any time New Orleans could get Kamara against White, they took it.

Expect to see White covering in the flat a lot

3rd and 2.

Kamara….again.

These quick, short passes have been a staple of the New Orleans offense since Brees’ arrival. Come Sunday, expect to see more of the same.

However, with the addition of Tom Brady on the practice field, Devin White has likely seen these kinds of quick passes all summer long and is better prepared this time around.

In his 2nd season, White expects to process information faster and, as a result, play faster.

Plays like this would allow him to an opportunity get one of those five interceptions he’s been talking about.

Devin White says he’s stepped his game up in every facet. Against Brees and company, he’ll have the chance to put all of his good work on display to kick off the season and give people something to talk about for the rest of the year.