New Orleans Saints 16 vs 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers summary: stats, and highlights | Week 13
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed all 60 minutes to take down their NFC South rivals on Monday Night Football. Tom Brady led one of his most memorable comebacks ever in the 17-16 win from Raymond James Stadium.
Bucs add to division cushion
Even though both teams came into Week 13 under .500, there were huge playoff implications on the line as the division leading Bucs looked to keep their distance from the rest of the pack.
It was a first three quarters to forget for the Bucs who scored a field goal on their opening possession but then flatlined until the very end of the game. The Saints defense kept Tom Brady and the Tampa offense quiet all night, but unfortunately for New Orleans their offense was almost as ineffective.
It took Andy Dalton and the Saints a quarter and a half to put their first points on the board when the QB hit Taysom Hill on a 30 yard TD pass to give the Saints the 7-3 and then let the defense take charge.
Saints couldn't turn TOs into TDs
The Bucs punted three straight times and then Brady threw an interceptions on their final four possession of the first half and the boo birds started to sing in Raymond James Stadium.
Brady’s interception led to a late field goal to put the Saints up 13-3 going into half, and then a Rachaad White fumble on the other side of the halftime break led to another Wil Lutz field goal. The New Orleans defense was putting the Saints in position to close the game out, but the Saints coudn’t deliver the killer blow.
They had another chance to shut the door on the Bucs midway through the fouth quarter, but New Orleans failed to score a touchdown after driving the ball inside of the 15 yard line and were forced to settle for another field goal. The Saints went 0-3 in the red zone, and Tom Brady would wait until the final moments to construct his comeback.
Brady does it again late in the game
Down 16-3, with just over 5 minutes to play Brady and the Bucs took over from their own nine yard line and went down the field in 2:21 and cut into the lead. A 44 yard pass inference flag against the Saints put Tampa at the one yard line and Brady hit Cade Otton for the TD pass to make it 16-10 with three minutes to go in the game.
After one of the quickest three and outs you will ever see, the Bucs got the ball back with 2:39 to go which was all Brady needed to add to his long list of comeback wins.
Tom Terrific hit seven of his final nine passes as the Bucs drove down the field carefully measuring the clock. With just 8 seconds on the clock, Brady found White out of the backfield and White dove into the end zone to secure the dramatic win for the Bucs in the finals seconds.
The Bucs improve to .500 after the win and now have a solid lead on the rest of the pack in the NFC South, while the Saints will go into their bye week knowing they let a chance to get back into the playoff race slip through their fingers in Tampa on Monday Night.
Two and a half minutes are way too much to give the greatest football player to every play the game. In the final seconds, Brady hit White who turned up field and dove into the end zone to seal the dramatic comeback victory.
One of the quickest three and outs you'll ever see led to the Bucs getting the ball back with 2:39 to go in the game.
A 40 yard pass interference call put the Bucs at the one yard line and Brady hit Otton to keep hops alive in Tampa Bay.
New Orleans came up with takeaways on each side of the halftime break and turned the TOs into field goals, but it wasn't enough to close Brady and the Bucs out.
The defense had Brady and the TB offense at a stand still for most of the game, and this Demario Davis interception led to a FG that stetched the lead to 10-3 right before half.
After the Bucs kicked a field goal on the first possession of the game the Saints defense took over and Andy Dalton finally got New Orleans on the board with this 30 yard TD strike to Hill in the second quarter.
You can not give Tom Brady a chance late in the game. The Saints didn't close the door on the Bucs, and Brady punished them in the last seconds.
IT'S ALL OVER!!! BUCS WIN!!!
The Stanford-Cal play doesn't work and the Bucs come back in dramatic fashion to improve to 6-6.
The Saints get the ball from the 25 with 3 seconds to go looking for a miracle.
TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY!!!
Somehow. Someway the Bucs are in the lead after Brady hits White for a 6 yard TD. He took a chance on a pass short of the end zone but he knew his RB was going to get into the end zone.
The Bucs take the lead with 3 seconds to go after the Succop PAT.
Brady finds Godwin on 2nd down and that goes for 9 yards before he gets out of bounds.
3rd and Goal from the NO 6 and there are 8 seconds left. TB has time for two more plays.
Brady hit Godwin in the endzone but a flag flies for holding on TB. Devesatating penalty late in the game.
1st and Goal from the NO 15
What a grab by Julion Jones on makes the back shoulder catch for 15 yards.
1ts and Goal from the 5.
Brady fires a quick strike to Miller on the slant for 7 yards on third down and that moves the chians.
1st and 10 from the NO 20.
Otton on the left side but he is tackled out of bounds. ON second down Brady's pass to Otton is incomplete.
3rd and 6 from the NO 27.
Fournette dashes up the middle and picks up 10.
1st and 10 from the NO 31.
Brady finds Otton on the left sideline for a gain of 8 before he is pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 2 from the NO 41.
Brady finds Godwin over the middle for a 9 yard gain and a first down.
We are headed to the Two Minute Warning and the Bucs are driving loking to take this game in the final seconds.
Brady finds Jones on a quick slant that goes for 6 yards.
2nd and 4 from the TB 42.
Dalton threw a dime over the hand of a defender and Hill got crushed and had it knocked out of his grasp.
Brady will get the ball back with plenty of time after the punt puts the Bucs at the TB 37.
Dalton is dropped by Nassib and this stadium erupts for the first time tonight.
Nassib got him for a 10 yard loss and the Bucs take their second timeout with the Saints at 3rd and 17 with 2:47 to go in the game.
Here come the Saints for the 25, and Kamara gets 3 yards on first down. 2nd and 7 coming up from the NO 28
Tampa call their first timeout with 2:54 to go in the game.
The Bucs offense has been terrible but they puch it in from one yard out to keep their chances alive late in the fourth quarter.
TOUCHDOWN BUCS!!!
After the PI flag put them at the 1 yard line, the Bucs punch it in with a Brady pass to Otton to keep the hope alive.
NO lad 16-10 with 3:00 to go in the game.
The Bucs biggest play of the game and it comes on a 44 yard pass interference call on and that will put the Bucs at the 1 yard line.
A hold on second down will bring the Bucs back to the NO 45 and give them 2nd and 20.
Fournette gets the first down on a 2 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the NO 35.
Brady looking for Evans again and that hook up goes for 9 yards.
2nd and 1 from the NO 37.
TB going hurry up and Fournette moves the chains on an 8 yard gain on second down.
1st and 10 from the NO 46.
Brady finds Evans on the right sideline for a gain of 14.
1srt and 10 from the TB 36.
Brady looking for Jones, and that pass is incomplete.
2nd and 10 from the TB 22.
Brady over the middle to Godwin on the crossing pattern for 13 yards.
1st and 10 from the TB 22.
The Bucs start their drive from the 9 yard line, and Brady's pass is almost intercepted. It was nowhere near Godwin.
2nd and 10 from the TB 9.
Dalton looking for Callaway on a quck slant pattern and that bounces off the WR's hands and stops the clock with 5:31 left.
The Saints will punt on 4th and short looking to pin the Bucs deep in their territory.
Dalton hits Ingram out of the backfield and he gets 7 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.
3rd and 1 from the TB 44.
Kamara gets the handoff and gets two yards after the Saints start their drive on the NO 47.
2nd and 8 coming up for the Saints.
Brady's pass is incomplete to Godwin on second down, and then he flicks a pass to White who picked up 7 yards on third and long.
4th and long coming up and Brady wants to go for it, but the Bucs will punt.
Brady is dropped on first down as Tutle gets to the QB for a 7 gain loss.
2nd and 17 from the TB 18.
The Bucs are running out of time, but they still have a chance.
They start their drive from the 25 needing a TD on this drive.
FIELD GOAL SAINTS!!!
The Saints are stopped in the red zone again but stretch their lead out with a Lutz field goal from 29 yards.
NO lead 16-3 with 8:02 to go in the fourth.
On 3rd and 2 Dalton's pass is batted by Nassib and falls incomplete before reaching Kamara.
4th and 2 and the Saints are letting the Bucs hang around.
Screen pass to Ingram on the left side and Ingram is slow to get up after getting 5 yards on 2nd down.
3rd and 2 coming up for the Saints, who still haven't shut the door on the Bucs.
Ingram gets a couple yards after bouncing off a few tackles on first down.
2nd and 7 from the TB 16.
Olave on the comeback route and he was wide open to pick up 8 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the TB 19.
Kamara stopped again at the line for no gain. He hasn't got anything going tonight.
3rd and 4 from the TB 27.
Hill gets the handoff and picks up 5 after a run up the middle.
2nd and 5 from the TB 27.
Flags fly on third down as Dalton looked for Olave and TB is penalized for pass interference on Davis.
1st and 10 from the 33 after the penalty.
Ingram gets the hand off and takes the run to the right for 4 yards.
3rd and 5 coming up.
Kamara dropped after a gain of just 1 yard.
2nd and 9 from the TB 46.
Dalton with a dime over the head of the defender and into the hands of Olave for a big third down gain of 26 yards.
1st and 10 from the TB 47.
Dalton to Ingram on a short pass to Ingram for a 6 yard gain.
3r and 3 from the NO 27.
The Saints start their drive from the 20 and Kamara gets the first down hand off and goes for a yard.
2nd and 9 from the NO 21.
The Bucs elect to punt coming out of the 4th quater, and the punt sails into the endzone.
On third down, Brady finds Otton after rolling right, but that play only picks up 3 yards.
We are at the end of the third quarter, and the Bucs have a decision to make on the first play of the fourth.
Brady looking for Otton and this time it's Otton who sees the ball slip right through his hands.
3rd and 10 coming up from the NO 43.
Brady looking over the middle for Kieft, but the pass was dropped.
2nd and 10 from the NO 43.
Brady on a quick strike to Otton on the out route and that goes for 10 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the NO 43.
Brady's pass is batted up at the line and almost intercepted.
3rd and 4 from the TB 47.
BRady's pass to Godin connects for a 6 yard pick up on first down.
2nd and 4 from the TB 47.
Fournette up the middle for another 8 yard gain and that will move the chains.
1st and 10 from the TB 41.
Fournette gets the opening handoff after the Bucs start their drive from the 25.
2nd and 2 after the 8 yard gain on first down.
The Saints D caused turnovers on both sides of the half, and turned both take aways into field goals.
FIELD GOAL SAINTS!!!
The Saints get more points after the turnover, but they need TDs to bury the Bucs. Lutz drills the short 21 yard field goal to make it a two possession game.
NO lead 13-3 with 2:46 to go in the third quarter.
A 12 men penalty moved the Sainst back to the 8 yard line and on 3rd and 8, Dalton looks for Hill on the crossing route, but he is stopped short of the marker after a gain of 5 yards.
4th and 2 and the Saints will kick the FG.
Ingram is swallowed up by Vea at the line and the Saints will have 3rd and 1 after the short gain.
Dalton finds Kamara out of the backfield and he takes it all the way down to the TB 3 after an 8 yard gain.
2nd and 2 from inside the 5 yard line.
Kamara with a gain of 4 on first down, and then Dalton finds Trautman for an 8 yard catch and run.
1st and 10 from the TB 11.
Second straight first down as Olave makes the catch on the right side line as Hill made the pass from the shotgun.
1st and 10 from the TB 23 after the 21 yard connection.
Dalton to Landry on the hitch route and that will move the chains on the 6 yard hook up.
1st and 10 from the TB 44.
Dalton steps up in the pocket and laterals it to Ingram for a gain of 7 yards on first down.
2nd and 3 from the 50.
Quick handoff to the FB Prentice and he gets 2 yards to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the NO 43.
Hill hands to Ingram and he picks up 4 yards on the run up the middle.
3rd and 1 coming up from the NO 41.
Dalton over the middle to Ingram out of the back field and that goes for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the NO 37.
FUMBLE!!!
Brady dumped it off to White and he looked to take if for the first down after the short pass but the ball was punched out and recovered by Granderson!!
NO take over from their 32 after the second take away of the night.
After a holding call backed the Bucs up 10 yards, Brady hit White for a 3 yard pick up but the Bucs will have 3rd and long.
3rd and 17 from the TB 44.
Brady goes deep for Jones but overthrew him close to the end zone.
2nd and 10 from the TB 49.
Brady throws a strike to Evans who was double covered and still made the catch for a 22 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the NO 49.
So what do the Bucs have in store on thefirst drivve of the second half.
White gets the opening handoff and picks up 3 yards onfirst down.
2nd and 7 from the TB 29.
Darden runs the punt back to the TB 26 yard line after a 15 yard return.
Dalton to Ingram out of the backfield but the Bucs were ready for that play and Davisd drops him for a loss of a yard.
4th and 8 and the Saints will punt after the Saints go three and out.
Hill out of the shotgun and he runs the RPO up the middle for a gain of 3 yards.
3rd and 7 from the NO 28.
Kamara gets the handoff to start the drive and he is stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
2nd and 10 from the 25.
WE ARE BACK UNDERWAY FROM TAMPA BAY!!!
The Saints get the ball first and will start their first drive from the 25 yard line.
The Bucs offnese was terrible in the first half, and the Saints punished them with a late INT in the first half that led to a field goal to put NO up by a TD at the half.
There wasn't much for highlights in that first half but Dalton did find Hill for the wide open 30 yard TD.
Dalton has won the battle of the QBs, with 142 yards and a TD, but the run game has just 26 total yards.
There was not much to get excited about for TB fans as Brady was held for 104 yards and a late INT.
White leads the Bucs with 25 of th 45 total rushing yards.
It was an ugly first half if you like offense, but it was a masterclass if you are a defensive purist of the game as the Saints lead 10-3 after two quarter.
Brady and the Bucs kicked a field goal on the opening drive, but since then punted three time and ended the half with and interception
Dalton and the Saints didn't look much better, but a 30 yard TD pass to Hill is what seperates these two teams.
Brady and the Bucs will take a knee and head to the locker room being serenaded by boos here at Raymond James Stadium.
FIELD GOAL SAINTS!!!
After the interception gave the Saints great field position, the Saints have to settle for a field goal and go up by a touchdown before the half.
NO leads 10-3 with 20 seconds to go.
Dalton looped one over the top to Landry and the WR tried to drag it in with one hand, but it sqeaked out of his grasp at the last minute and the Saints will settle for a FG.
4th and 2 from the TB 19.
Dalton to Kamara out of the back field for a gain of 3 yards.
3rd and 2 from the TB 19, and the Saints take a TO with 30 seconds to go.
Kamara gets the handoff up the middle for a gain of 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the TB 22.
Dalton with a couple quick passes, first to Olave for 10 yards and then to Shaheed for 12 yards and the Saints have a first down at the TB 27 with 59 seconds in the game.
TB take a timeout with under a minute to go.
INTERCEPTION!!!
Right after the review Brady is picked off by Davis, who was waiting in the middle of the field and he makes the easy catch to turn the tides at the end of the first half.
NO take over at the TB 39 with 1:32 to go in the half.
The call is reversed and that Brady-Evans link up goes for 14 yards and the Bucs have 1st down from the TB 49.
It took almost 30 minutes for Brady to look for Evans, and he hits him on the right side line but it as ruled incomplete.
The play will be reviewed automatically since we are under 2:00 in the second quarter.
Brady finds White out of the backfield and he picks up 5 yards on the catch and run.
3rd and 3 coming up from the TB 35.
Check out Dalton looking away defenders, and holding on until the last second knowing that a hit is coming, but stuck in there and found Hill wide open for the 30 yard TD.
White is stuffed at the line of scrimmage and falls for a gain of two yards on first down.
That will take us to the Two Minute Warning with the Bucs trying to move the ball down field down 7-3.
Brady to White out of the backfield and that goes for 12 yards to move the chains on third down.
1st and 10 from the TB 28
White gets the run on 2nd and 10, and he picks up half of what he needed.
3rd and 5 coming up from the TB 16.
Brady's pass on first down to Godwin was incomplete as the Bucs tried to set up a screen.
2nd and 10 from the TB 11.
The Bucs will gets the ball back at their 11 yard line and have 3:46 to try to take the lead before the halftime break.
Dalton had Olave wide open and the QB dropped it in between two defenders but Olave dropped it as the ball hit off his helmet and bounced out of bounds.
4th down and the long return is for not as the Saints punt with under four minutes to go.
Dalton had time, but the coverage down the field was good so he throws it out of bounds to bring up 3rd and long.
3rd and 9 from the TB 39 coming up.
Kamara gets the opening handoff of the drive and he is stopped after a pick up of 2 yards.
2nd and 8 fro the TB 39.
What a return from Shaheed who got a couple of blocks and took it back for a 42 yard return and the Saints start their drive from the TB 40.
Brady's pass to Godwin bounces off the chest of Godwin, but give credit to the coverage which was perfect on third down.
The Bucs will punt for the fourth straight time after their opening drive field goal.
Brady finds Fournette out of the back field, but the Saints were all over that and drop the RB for a loss of two.
3rd and 13 from the TB 32.
Fournette gets the stretch handoff to the left side and that is blown up for a loss of one.
2nd and 11 from the TB 34.
Brady's quick release finds Godwin on the short out to the left side and Godwin picks up the first down with a 5 yard catch andn run.
1st and 10 from the TB 35.
The Bucs start their drive from the 25, and Fournette gets 5 yards on the run to the left side.
2nd and 5 from the NO 30.
TOUCHDOWN NEW ORLEANS!!!
Dalton took all the time he could before getting crushed on the release, but he finds Hill wide open on the left side and Hill walked into the end zone on the 30 yard catch and run.
NO take the lead 7-3 mid way through the 2nd quarter.
Dalton scarmbling on 1st down and he picks up maybe a yard on the run to the right side.
2nd and 9 from the TB 31.
Dalton finds a wide open Trautman on the right sideline and he had all kinds of room to take it up field for a 20 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the TB 31.
Jet sweep to Shaheed going from right to left across the line, but he was stopped for no gain.
3rd and 6 from the NO 49.
Kamara gets to the edge on the run to the right side and that goes for 4 yards before he gets pushed out of bounds.
2nd and 6 from the NO 49.
Dalton with all kinds of time and he moves to the left and finds Shaheed in stride for a 19 yard picks up on third down.
1st and 10 from the NO 44.
Hill gets the direct snap and the Bucs shut that down for a one yard gain.
3rd and 4 from the NO 26.
The Saints get the ball at the 20 yard line after the touchbacks and Ingram gets the handoff and takes it up the middle for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the NO 25.
Not much for highlights in this game, I promise as soon as something noteworthy happens I'll have the highlights posted in no time.
Brady takes a shot to Julio Jones and Jones had broken away from the defender but the pass was just over thrown.
4th and 8 and the Bucs will punt again with 12:17 to go in the second quarter.
Handoff to White up the middle and he gets another short gain of 2 yards.
3rd and 8 from the TB 34.
Brady going deep to Miller on the left sideline and Miller had to check his run, there was contact but no flag flies and the pass falls incomplete.
2nd and 10 from the TB 32.
Brady finds Kieft on the left side and he turns it up the field for a 12 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the TB 32.
Brady's pass down the right sideline is incomplete to Gage, but a flag flies on NO for defensive holding.
1st and 10 from the TB 20 after the 5 yard penalty.
Brady over the middle, but that pass to Otton was deflected at the line and that brings up a quick 3rd and 8.
The Bucs start their third drive from the TB 13 and White picks up a couple yards on first down.
2nd and 8 from the TB 15.
Dalton's third down pass to Trautman on the right side falls incomplete as the throw came in high and the Saints will punt again on 4th and 8.
Dalton hits Landry as his third option and Landry does a little dance and gets 8 yards.
That brings us to the end of the first quarter where the Bucs lead 3-0 from Tampa.
The Saints have 3rd and 8 coming out of the quarter change.
Hill in the shotgun and he gets the direct snap and takes it up the middle, but the 5 yard gain is wiped off the board after a holding call.
2nd and 16 from the NO 47.
Ingram gets the handoff up the middle and he picks up 4 yards on the run.
2nd and 6 from the TB 43.
Dalton going deep down the left side line to Shaheed for a 40 yard bomb and the Saints are in TB territory just like that.
1st and 10 from the TB 47,
The Saints start the drive from their 13 yard line and Dalton out of the shotgun looking for Olave on the slant, but it bounced off his hands and they are lucky that wasn't picked.
2nd and 10 from the NO 13.
Brady's pass was a little to far out in front of White, and the hit came from Davis which jarred the ball outof the RB's hands.
4th and 4 and the Bucs will punt.
Brady looking to the right side, and Otton picks up 2 yards on the short reception.
3rd and 4 fro the TB 41.
Fournette gets his eighth touch of the game already, and takes it four yards on a first down run.
2nd and 6 from the TB 39.
Brad yon the drop back to start the drive and finds Fournette out of the backfield again. He breaks a couple tackles down field and picks up 11 yards.
1st and 10 from the TB 35.
The Bucs will take over from the 24 after the punt, looking for another long drive that this time ends in a TD.
On third down the Bucs bring the blitz and it David who storms Dalton and drops him for an 8 yard loss. The Saints start their night with a three and out.
4th and 13 from the NO 26.
Kamara skips outside and picks up three before running out of bounds.
3rd and 5 from the NO 35.
Kamara gets the opening handoff of the Saints night, and he takes it a yard before getting eaten up at the line.
2nd and 9 from the NO 30.
After a long TB series to start the game Andy Dalton and the Saints take the field and start their drive from the NO 29.
FIELD GOAL BUCS!!!
The Bucs march 72 yards down the field, but are stopped at the door after 16 plays and Succop comes on to put the Bucs on the board. It's not what the Bucs were looking for after a long drive, but they will take three points on their first possession of the game.
TB leads 3-0 with 6:25 to go in the first quarter.
What a play by Maye to trip up Fournette on the pass to the flat. It looked like the TB running back had a chance to get to the pylon but the defender made a shoe string tackle to bring up 4th and Goal and the Bucs will kick a FG.
Quick pass to Godwin in the flat and Julio Jones got in his way instead of throwing a block and he is cut down after a gain of one.
3rd and Goal from the 4.
Fournette up the middle for a gain of a yard and the Bucs will have 2nd and Goal from the 4.
Fournette picks up the first down on a run up the middle on 3rd and short and that gives the Bucs 1st and Goal form the NO 5.
Brady hits Fournette again out of the backfield and that short pass gets 4 yards which brings up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 fro the NO 13.
Fournette runs it right on first down and picks up 5 yards. TB need to take advantage of their time in the red zone with TDs if they want to win tonight.
2nd and 5 from the NO 17.
Brady with another 3rd down conversion finding Fournette out of the backfield and that pass up the middle goes for a gain of 8 yards.
1st and 10 from the NO 22.
White gets six yards on first down, and then Brady threw his first incomplete pass looking for White out of the back field.
3rd and 4 from the NO 30.
Brady drops back and this time looks for Gage on the comeback route on the left sideline and Brady starts his night 3/3, and picks up 11 yards on first down.
1st and 10 from the NO 36.
Another short hook up for Brady and Godwin on 3rd and short and the 6 yard pitch and catch keeps the drive alive.
1st and 10 from the NO 47.
TB going back to White on second down and that goes for 6 yards, but will bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 2 from the TB 47.
WHite gets the handoff and picks up 2 yards, he's going to have to step up for the Bucs.
2nd and 8 from the TB 41.
Brady looking for Godwin on the left sideline on his first throw of the night and he connects for a gain of 14 yards.
1st and 10 from the TB 39.
White gets the opening handoff to start the night, and he gets stopped at the line of scrimmage. This is the worst rushing offense in the league, can they get it going tonight?
2nd and 10 from the 25.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM TAMPA BAY!!!
The Bucs get the ball first after the Saints win the toss and differ.
Brady and the Bucs will start their opening drive from the 25 yard line.
Tonight's odds
According to Bet365.com the Bucs are 3 point favorites at home with the Over/Under set at 40.5.
I don't trust either of these offenses, and I do think this divisional game will be close so I'm taking the Saints plus the points and the under.
We all know about the Bucs offensive struggles this season, but this is Tom Brady and it's Monday Night Football. You know he is jacked up to play under the lights against a bitter rival who is giving up just 16 ppg over the last 5 weeks. In Brady's last two games, Brady has 0 TDs, 4 INTs and has been sacked 7 times.
It's a special Monday Night match up so the Saints are rocking their special Monday Night helmets tonight. They go with the all white look with the matte black helmets as they look for some added inspiration tonight.
Tensions still boiling from September showdown
These two teams squared up in Week 2, and the Bucs ended up winning that game 20-10 but that wasn’t the headline coming out of the early season matchup. There is no love lost between these two division rivals and that was on full display in the Ceasars Superdome back in September. Leonard Fornette, Mike Evans and New Orleans corner back Marshon Lattimore were involved in a skirmish that led to Evans and Lattimore being ejected. Tonight even more is on the line, so expect emotions to run high from Raymond James tonight.
All eyes on Dalton
New Orleans come into tonight’s road game having only won one of their five road games this season, and their sole win came in Week 1 in Atlanta. To beat the Bucs in Raymond James tonight, they are going to need Andy Dalton to be on his A game tonight against a Bucs defense that loves to get after the quarterback.
Tom and the Bucs back in Tampa
Tampa Bay comes into tonight knowing they are at the top of the worst division in football, and can distance themselves from the pack tonight. Tom Terrific has been anything but terrific, but the Saints secondary can be picked apart and in prime time you wouldn’t put it past Brady to finally gets this Bucs offense rolling at just the right time of the season.
NFC South struggles
There is no question that Bucs and Saints divison is the worst in football. Tampa Bay comes into tonight on top of the NFC South with just five wins on the season, while the Saints can move to with in a half game of Tampa Bay with a win tonight. It is almost certain that no team from this division will wind up with a Wild Card spot so the Bucs, Saints, Panthers and Falcons are going all in on the race for the division.
| NFC East | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 phiPhiladelphia Eagles | 11 | 1 | 12 |
2 dalDallas Cowboys | 9 | 3 | 12 |
3 nygNew York Giants | 7 | 4 | 12 |
4 wasWashington Commanders | 7 | 5 | 13 |
| NFC North | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 minMinnesota Vikings | 10 | 2 | 12 |
2 detDetroit Lions | 5 | 7 | 12 |
3 gbGreen Bay Packers | 5 | 8 | 13 |
4 chiChicago Bears | 3 | 10 | 13 |
| NFC South | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 tbTampa Bay Buccaneers | 5 | 6 | 11 |
2 atlAtlanta Falcons | 5 | 8 | 13 |
3 carCarolina Panthers | 4 | 8 | 12 |
4 noNew Orleans Saints | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| NFC West | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 sfSan Francisco 49ers | 8 | 4 | 12 |
2 seaSeattle Seahawks | 7 | 5 | 12 |
3 ariArizona Cardinals | 4 | 8 | 12 |
4 larLos Angeles Rams | 3 | 9 | 12 |
Saints last week
The Saints had a game to forget last week in San Francisco. The defense held the Nines to just 13 points, but Andy Dalton and the New Orleans offense gained just 260 yards of total offense and failed to score a single point. They were knocking on the door of the end zone in the fourth quarter but Alvin Kamara fumbled at the one yard line with 11 minutes left and the San Fran defense came up with another game changing play late in the game to polish off the shut out win over the Saints.
Bucs last week
Just when it seemed like Tampa Bay we’re building up a head of steam, Tom Brady and the Bucs went to Cleveland and were run all over by Nick Chubb and the Browns. Tampa had the late lead despite their difficulties slowing down the Nick Chubb, but allowed a Jacboby Brissett to construct a two minute drill that resulted in a David Njoku TD reception to tie the game with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter. After a couple of empty offensive possessions, Nick Chubb put the nail in the Bucs' coffin, with a 3 yards TD run in the last minute of overtime to drop the Tampa Bay back under .500.
We are live from Tampa Bay
Hello everyone and welcome to Tampa Bay where the Bucs are looking to bounce back after a devastating loss in Cleveland last weekend. The Bucs had finally put their first win streak together in what has been a tumultuous season, but the streak was short lived as the Browns brought an end to the brief hot spell. The Saints have lost three of their last four including a shutout loss to the Niners last week. They are 4-8 on the year, but can get to with in a half game of the first place Bucs with a win tonight.
Saints vs. Bucs
Two teams with losing record square off in a game with huge playoff implications as we wrap up Week 13. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints prepare for an NFC South battle on Monday night and AS English will be with you all game providing live coverage, highlights, stats and analysis of tonight’s game from Raymond James Stadium.