The Saints haven’t had many bright spots this season, but Sunday in Tampa? That was a statement win.
In a game that felt more like a backyard brawl than a polished NFL showdown - rain-soaked and gritty - New Orleans went into Raymond James Stadium and handed the Buccaneers a 24-20 loss that could have major implications in the NFC South. With the win, the Saints not only played spoiler, they cracked the division race wide open. The Bucs now find themselves knotted up with the Panthers at 7-6, with Carolina enjoying a bye week and a front-row seat to the chaos.
This one was messy, and not just because of the weather. The Bucs had every opportunity to take control - and they let it slip through their fingers, sometimes literally.
Seven penalties, a brutal dropped touchdown, a turnover, and five failed fourth-down conversions told the story. It was self-inflicted damage from start to finish.
The final blow came with just under 90 seconds left, when Cade Otton caught a short pass on fourth-and-4 but came up a yard short, sealing Tampa Bay’s fate.
Baker Mayfield had a rough outing. He finished just 14-of-30 for 122 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
The rhythm never really clicked for the Bucs’ offense, and Mayfield looked out of sync for much of the afternoon. Despite racking up 301 total yards, Tampa Bay couldn’t finish drives when it mattered most.
Rookie Bucky Irving provided a few sparks - 55 yards on 15 carries and a 24-yard touchdown grab - but it wasn’t enough to offset the missed opportunities.
On the other side, the Saints got a breakout performance from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. In just his second career start, Shough looked poised beyond his years.
He completed 13-of-20 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown, but it was his legs that really changed the game. Shough ran for 55 yards and two scores on just seven carries - the first rushing touchdowns of his young NFL career.
He turned broken plays into big gains and gave the Saints’ offense the kind of dual-threat dimension it’s been missing.
Running back Devin Neal helped carry the load on the ground as well, grinding out 70 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. It was a balanced, efficient performance from a Saints offense that has struggled to find consistency this season.
This win doesn’t suddenly turn the Saints into contenders, but it does prove something important - they’re still fighting. And in a division that’s been up for grabs all year, this kind of upset could end up shifting the playoff picture more than we realize.
For Tampa Bay, it’s a gut punch. For New Orleans, it’s a glimpse of what the future might look like with Shough under center.