Conversely, Tampa Bay will come in with a quarterback, Baker Mayfield, who plays at his position at one of the highest levels in the league.

Mayfield has completed 72 percent of his passes for 1,164 yards and 11 touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has been sacked 16 times, but has run for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

“Offensively, I think they’re operating at a very high level,” Allen said. “I think the quarterback is playing really well. He’s able to create, make some plays with his feet – both running for first downs and finding open receivers.

“Difficult to tackle in the pocket, he’s quite slippery there. They are doing very well in that area. I just think they’ve been consistent with what they do offensively.

“Schematically, there are some similarities to some of the things we’ve already dealt with, maybe a little bit different in some of the things they do in the run game. But from a passing game standpoint, there are some similarities. I think they’ve got some really good players.”

Rookie Bucky Irving leads the Buccaneers in rushing with 247 yards and a touchdown on 44 carries, and the leading receivers are familiar faces to the Saints’ secondary: Chris Godwin with 386 yards and three touchdowns on 32 catches, and Mike Evans with 276 yards and a league-high five touchdowns on 23 catches.

PRACTICE REPORT: Running back Alvin Kamara (hip/hand), receiver Rashid Shaheed (hip) and defensive end Payton Turner (knee) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday. Linebacker Willie Gay (hand) upgraded from limited to full. Taysom Hill, Cesar Ruiz, Derek Carr, Lucas Patrick, Will Harris and Pete Werner did not train.