Buccaneers vs Saints, let’s talk about it.
Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of quarters. Let’s dive into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ football. The Buccaneers are back to ‘controlling their own destiny.’ That destiny had one team in the way— The New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay will also have a side quest today of getting Mike Evans to 1,000 yards receiving, which would place Mike Evans next to Jerry Rice in NFL history for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
First Quarter:
The Bucs began on defense and struggled early. Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans Saints’ offense drove through Todd Bowles’ defense, crossing midfield and navigating their way into field goal range for a chip shot kick. 3-0, Saints.
A fan of tit for tat, the Buccaneers— aided by a highly irresponsible running into the kicker penalty, responded with a Chase McLaughlin field goal. 3-3, even.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Second drive adjustments were not on the Bingo card for the Buccaneers’ defense— Drive two added up the same as drive one, three more New Orleans’ points. 6-3, Saints.
Second Quarter:
A slow start plagued the Buccaneers in the first quarter and as the second quarter rolled down to the two-minute warning, Tampa still had not found the anecdote. New Orleans’ domination in time of possession had netted them a Spencer rattler touchdown pass, a 10-point lead, and energy— Something Todd Bowles’ team, in a must-win situation, couldn’t find.
Tampa tried to prevent drowning their season out with a slow whimper, adding a few more Mike Evans yards and three more Chase McLaughlin points. 13-6, Saints. Those three Buccaneer points were rapidly erased by rookie fifth round pick Spencer Rattler. Rattler, looking like Tom Brady against the New York Jets, took New Orleans back down the field and gave Blake Grupe another opportunity for points. 16-6, New Orleans.
Third Quarter:
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Tampa’s ball and Baker Mayfield’s drive. Mayfield’s combination of timely scrambles and strikes thrown, escorted Tampa deep into Saints’ territory and ultimately across the goal line when tight end Payne Durham snatched his second touchdown pass in as many weeks. 16-13, Saints.
Waking up, Tampa Bay’s defense gave Baker Mayfield and co. the ball back quickly— A three-and-out. The Bucs offense fumbled the opportunity or rather had the opportunity intercepted away. Baker Mayfield, targeting Mike Evans, threw his first pick of the game. The turnover gave field position and points to New Orleans. 19-13, Saints.
Fourth Quarter:
Through a third quarter that was as sloppy as a pig’s trough, the Buccaneers did manage to keep the game and their season alive. Down 19-13, any chance of redemption and playoff fantasy would rest on the fourth quarter-arm of Baker Mayfield. Mayfield’s arm proved golden instantly— Todd Bowles opting for the rare fourth down attempt by his offense, on a fourth down and eight of all situations, led to a deep ball conversion between Mayfield and Jalen McMillan. The duo’s highlight reel play was immediately followed up by a second. Mayfield, rolling to his right, threw a laser beam to McMillan who was waiting —toes tapped— ready for six points. Chase McLaughlin’s extra point gave Tampa Bay their first lead of the game. 20-19, Buccaneers.
Maintaining their trend of high-level defensive performances in the second halves of their contests, Todd Bowles’ defense got the ball back for the team’s offense who did fail to get Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard mark but managed to get the ball into the endzone. A Baker Mayfield flip to Bucky Irving extended Tampa’s lead to eight. 27-19, Bucs.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Following a defensive stand that catapulted Tampa Bay into the playoffs, the Buccaneers did the ‘right’ thing by their superstar. With Mike Evans needing a measly five yards to etch his name in NFL history, beside Jerry Rice, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers elected not to kneel down and run the clock. They instead lined up to throw, tossed a quick pass to Evans ensuring that he got his mark, and walked off with the win in all aspects.
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