Saints vs. Bucs Game Recap

Yesterday, a visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced off against the New Orleans Saints. In what can only be described as the craziest match of the season, the Saints weren’t able to come away with the W.

First Quarter
The game was rapidly going nowhere for New Orleans. Baker Mayfield would lead the Bucs offense down the field for six, slicing through the Saints’ defense. Then on the next drive, Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler would make his NFL debut, and he was impressive. Unfortunately, any momentum gained was soon lost as wide receiver Chris Olave would fumble the ball after a hard hit. The play would be a scoop and score for the Bucs’ defense.

New Orleans’ ensuing offensive drive wouldn’t go much better. They did gain a first down on a run by Alvin Kamara, but still ended up punting after five plays. Tampa Bay’s offense would be slowed down on their second drive, being held to a field goal. However, it would be a chip shot, meaning that the Mayfield-led offense went straight through the Saints’ defense for a second time.

Second Quarter
It would take the Saints until the second quarter to put their first points on the board. After seven plays, Blake Grupe would send a ball through the uprights from 42 yards out. Spencer Rattler would come alive on this drive, completing all four of his passes for 39 yards. He would also have an impressive 16-yard scramble.

New Orleans’ defense would also make their first stop of the game. Taking advantage of the field position, they would force Tampa Bay to a three-and-out. The punt would be a short one, with returner Rashid Shaheed lined up on the logo.

Shaheed would then light the Superdome on fire and return the 54-yard punt for a touchdown.

The defense of the Saints would respond in turn, intercepting Baker Mayfield in just two plays.

Spencer Rattler and the Saints offense would only be able to come away with three points. The run game would be non-existent, essentially crippling the offense. Grupe would shorten the deficit to four from 29 yards out.

But no need to fear, Johnathan Abram is here. The safety would intercept Mayfield on the second play of the Bucs next drive.

The Saints would respond immediately. In just one play, Rattler would have a 10-yard pass to fellow rookie Bub Means for a score. It would be a first for both of the rookies. For Means, a fifth-round wide receiver out of Pittsburgh, it would be his first career touchdown reception. For Rattler, it was his first touchdown pass.

Unluckily for the Saints, they would continue their trend of letting their opponent get explosive plays. On a 2nd & 13 play, the Bucs would get a short pass off to wide receiver Ryan Miller for 39 yards. After that, Tampa would soon add more points to the board on another Mayfield touchdown pass.

New Orleans would respond with their own touchdown drive, and one where they had their own explosive plays. On 3rd & 5, Spencer Rattler would through a bullet to Bub Means for a 14-yard gain. On 2nd & 7, tight end Foster Moreau would be wide open, and Rattler quickly got the ball to him for a 41-yard gain. After a short run, Alvin Kamara would run it in for six.

Life was injected into the Superdome. With the dome rocking, the Saints’ defense would once again intercept Baker Mayfield on the next Tampa Bay drive. Surprisingly it would be Cameron Jordan, the defensive end and future hall of famer, with the takeaway.

New Orleans would be unable to keep the wave of momentum going and be forced to punt after five plays. Tampa Bay would not be able to add anything to the scoreboard before time ran out in the second quarter.

Third Quarter
Neither the Saints nor the Buccaneers would score on their first second-half drives. New Orleans would have to punt on their second drive, but not Tampa Bay. Aided by horrendous tackling from the Saints’ defense, Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin would take a check-down pass 55 yards to the endzone.

Not only would New Orleans be unable to answer, they wouldn’t even be able to gain any yards. After the touchdown by Tampa, the offense would go three and out with negative five yards.

After the punt by Matthew Hayball, the Buccaneers would be held to a three-and-out.

Fourth Quarter
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Spencer Rattler threw his first career interception on an underthrow to Rashid Shaheed. Tampa Bay took advantage of the underthrow, they would score on their next offensive possession. New Orleans offense would go three-and-out on their next appearance.

On a 10-play drive taking six minutes off the clock, the Buccaneers would kill the fourth quarter. Capping off the said drive would be Bucs running back Bucky Irving, on a one-yard rush.

Rattler would make his first actual rookie mistake on the ensuing drive for the Saints offense. In an attempt to throw to Rashid Shaheed, Bucs safety Tykee Smith would come away with the ball.

Tampa Bay running back Sean Tucker would put the nail in the coffin on their next offensive possession. Capping off a two-minute six-play drive, he would run it in for a touchdown making it a fifty burger on the scoreboard. The PAT would be good, putting the score at 51-27. New Orleans would be unable to salvage anything in the game’s final two minutes, making that the final score.

The Saints’ next opponent will feature a very familiar face. Leading the Denver Broncos, former Saints head coach Sean Payton will make his return to the Crescent City this Thursday.