The Buccaneers defeated the Saints, 23-3 at Caesars Superdome and improve to 6-2. The Bucs’ defense did not allow a single touchdown and nabbed a pick-six, two fumble recoveries and three sacks in the first half. Baker Mayfield completed 15 of 24 attempts for 152 yards in Week Eight. Sean Tucker scored on a one-yard rush and Anthony Nelson returned an interception three yards for a score in the second quarter.
On the Saints’ opening offensive drive, quarterback Spencer Rattler scrambled and Anthony Nelson punched the ball out. Lavonte David recovered the football at the Tampa Bay 33-yard line and the Bucs took over at the 32 (-1). Tampa Bay was unable to cash in with points after Baker Mayfield was sacked on third down by Chase Young and Justin Reid for a loss of 11 yards, which forced an ensuing punt. The Saints followed suit with a punt after a SirVocea Dennis sack of Rattler on second down and Rattler’s third-down pass to Devin Neal came up short of the sticks.
On the subsequent drive for Tampa Bay to begin the second quarter, the Bucs drive down the field courtesy of a 24-yard gain by Emeka Egbuka and a 15-yard gain for Sean Tucker around Michael Jordan. The Bucs had four-straight run attempts from the New Orleans’ one-yard line but the Saints’ defense made a goal-line stand, forcing a turnover on downs. Anthony Nelson then shifted the momentum to the Buccaneers with a game-wrecking play. He intercepted Rattler’s pass intended for Foster Moreau at the New Orleans’ four-yard line by tipping it to himself and he returned it three yards for a touchdown, providing the Bucs with a 7-0 lead. The Bucs’ defense swarmed again on the Saints’ following offensive drive, as Jamel Dean forced a fumble of Rashid Shaheed and Antoine Winfield Jr. recovered at the New Orleans’ 47-yard line.
The Saints answered with a takeaway of their own before the half. Chase Young sacked Mayfield for a loss of 11 and knocked the ball loose. He recovered it at the Tampa Bay 41-yard line and Graham Barton tackled him at the 45 for -4. Rattler’s deep shot to Shaheed went incomplete, which set up Blake Grupe’s 48-yard field goal just before the half. The Bucs crossed the goal line following a 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive in the third frame, including a 17-yard gain by White and a 12-yard gain by Tez Johnson to move the chains. Sean Tucker plunged into the end zone on a one-yard touchdown rush, extending the Bucs lead 14-3. The Bucs next drive culminated in a Chase McLaughlin 55-yard field goal, giving Tampa Bay a 17-3 cushion.
On the Saints’ next drive, Winfield Jr. intercepted Tyler Shough at the 50-yard line and Mayfield and cast took the field. The Bucs were unable to turn the takeaway into a touchdown, but McLaughlin drilled a 52-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 20-3 lead at the beginning of the fourth frame. Tykee Smith ended the Saints next drive with a pass breakup on fourth down against Juwan Johnson. McLaughlin made a 54-yard field goal to make it 23-3 after Tucker was stopped short on third down after a gain of one.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 15/24 for 152 yards
- Rushing: RB Sean Tucker: 12 rushes for 42 yards – 1 TD
- Receiving: WR Tez Johnson: 5 catches for 43 yards
- Defense: OLB Anthony Nelson: 4 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 TD
- Passing: QB Spencer Rattler: 15/21 for 136 yards – 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Alvin Kamara: 6 rushes for 21 yards
- Receiving: WR Rashid Shaheed: 9 catches for 75 yards
- Defense: DE Chase Young: 4 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF
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