Buccaneers have officially turned the tide against the Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New Orleans Saints rivalry hasn't been kind to the Bucs ever since the NFC South was created in 2002. The Bucs were 18-26, coming into their Week 4 matchup since '02, but the last two prior matchups saw the Bucs pull off their first regular season sweep since 2007. With an entirely […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New Orleans Saints rivalry hasn't been kind to the Bucs ever since the NFC South was created in 2002.
The Bucs were 18-26, coming into their Week 4 matchup since '02, but the last two prior matchups saw the Bucs pull off their first regular season sweep since 2007. With an entirely new offense and the same solid defense – the Bucs had a great shot at pulling off a third straight win for the first time in franchise history.
They did just that, dominating the Saints throughout the course of their 26-9 win. Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White, and a dominant defense led by Antoine Winfield Jr. were they key catalysts in the team's biggest win since they downed the Saints, 31-17, back in 2007.
Mayfield made play after play with both his arms and legs. He finished the day completing 25-of-32 passes for 246-yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Godwin was his main target and did his usual damage against the Saints as he recorded a team-leading eight receptions for 114-yards. Godwin's performance was particularly impressive considering star wideout Mike Evans exited the game in the first half and did not return.
The Bucs easily had their best game of the year on the ground. As a team, they ran for 116-yards on 30 carries. Sure, the 3.87 yards per carry average isn't ideal, but the key stretch came in the late second quarter and through the third, where the team was routinely popping off key runs. White led the way with 15 carries for 56-yards and the Bucs don't score their first touchdown of the game without his key block on Mayfield's first-down run on 3rd and 7 and his slick moves on a later 3rd and 8 that gave the Bucs a first down and a new set of downs at the Saints 5.
And then, of course, you can't discount the defensive performance. Todd Bowles has figured out the Saints offense and it's obvious. The Saints finished the game with less than 200 net yards of offense, they went 5-of-14 on third down, and the defense recorded 3.0 sacks and three turnovers.
Winfield Jr. led the way. His nine tackles led the team and he also added 1.0 sack, 2.0 tackles for loss, a QB hit, a pass break-up, and a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The PBU was the key deflection on the attempted touchdown pass to Chris Olave.
From top to bottom, the defense was flying around all day and making clutch plays and stops. Week 4 was easily the Bucs' most complete win and it showed that the team has officially turned the tide against the Saints.
