The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) beat the New Orleans Saints (4-9) 17-16 Monday at Raymond James Stadium.
The Buccaneers received the opening kickoff and marched down the field, capping off the drive with a 21-yard field goal from veteran kicker Ryan Succop with just under 6:30 left in the opening quarter. The Bucs defense stood tall on the ensuing drive, which ended in a Lavonte David quarterback sack. After one-quarter of play, Tampa Bay led New Orleans 3-0.
The Saints score the first touchdown of the ball game as QB Andy Dalton throws a 30-yard pass to TE Taysom Hill with under 8 minutes left in the first half. Bucs QB Tom Brady was picked off late in the quarter, giving the Saints the ball at their own 49-yard line. The Saints tacked on three more points with a Wil Lutz field goal. New Orleans goes into the half with a 10-3 lead over Tampa Bay.
Bucs rookie RB Rachaad White coughed up the football on Tampa's first offensive possession of the second half, down 10-3. The Saints then went on a 12-play drive leading to a 21-yard field goal knocked down by Wil Lutz. After three-quarters of play, the Saints led the Bucs 13-3.
Bucs QB Tom Brady connected with TE Cade Otton on a 1-yard TD pass with three minutes remaining in the game, the Saints held onto a 16-10 lead at that point. The Bucs got some momentum, and Brady found Rachaad White on a 6-yard TD pass to give the Bucs a 17-16 lead with three seconds left. Bucs win.
The Buccaneers now prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, December 11th, in Santa Clara. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 PM ET - you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM - The Mighty 98 Rock.
PHOTO COURTESY: GETTY IMAGES