Bucs linebacker Anthony Nelson became the first player with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a TD in a half since Khalil Mack posted the stat line in 2018. Chris Graythen / Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took advantage of four New Orleans Saints turnovers in a 23-3 win against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson logged two of those takeaways in the first half. He knocked the ball out of Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler’s hands at the end of a 7-yard scramble.
Later, he returned a Rattler interception 3 yards to give Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead in the second quarter.
Nelson also tallied a sack in the first quarter and became the first player with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception returned for a TD in a half since Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack posted the stat line in 2018.
The Saints (1-7) closed the first half with a 48-yard Blake Grupe field goal, but the Buccaneers (6-2) opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to score the first of 16 unanswered points.
New Orleans made a quarterback switch in the third quarter, benching Rattler, who completed 15 of 21 passes for 136 yards and the pick, and inserting rookie Tyler Shough.
Shough made his second appearance of the season; he played three snaps in a Week 3 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He completed 17 of 30 passes Sunday for 128 yards and an interception.
Oct 27, 2025
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