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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\n TOP PERFORMERS \ud83c\udfc8<\/p>\n
Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 15\/24 for 152 yards
\nRushing: RB Sean Tucker: 12 rushes for 42 yards – 1 TD
\nReceiving: WR Tez Johnson: 5 catches for 43 yards
\nDefense: OLB Anthony Nelson: 4 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 1 TD<\/p>\n
Passing: QB Spencer Rattler: 15\/21 for 136 yards – 1 INT
\nRushing: RB Alvin Kamara: 6 rushes for 21 yards
\nReceiving: WR Rashid Shaheed: 9 catches for 75 yards
\nDefense: DE Chase Young: 4 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF<\/p>\n