A crucial NFC South matchup slipped away from Tampa Bay on Sunday, as the Buccaneers struggled to corral rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in a 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium.
Once sitting comfortably atop the division, the Bucs (7–6) have now lost four of their last five and are suddenly locked in a first-place tie with Carolina. Despite being heavy favorites against a 3–10 Saints team, Tampa Bay couldn’t overcome a sloppy, rain-soaked afternoon filled with missed chances and self-inflicted wounds.
Baker Mayfield and the offense never found their footing. Drops, penalties, and stalled drives put the Bucs behind schedule all day, and even when opportunities surfaced late — including a would-be touchdown that slipped through Emeka Egbuka’s hands — Tampa Bay had to settle for a field goal that only trimmed the deficit to 24-20.
The defining moment came when the Bucs defense let Shough wriggle free from what looked like a guaranteed sack by Logan Hall and Vita Vea. Instead, the rookie spun away and scrambled 13 yards into the end zone, giving New Orleans a seven-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
With 1:48 left and no timeouts, Tampa Bay had one more shot, but Mayfield couldn’t muster another late-game rally. Two incompletions, a short scramble, and a dump-off to Cade Otton on fourth down ended the comeback bid.
“It doesn’t matter if the team is 12-0 or 0-12 — you have to show up and make plays,” head coach Todd Bowles said after another frustrating divisional setback.
Mayfield finished 14 of 30 for 122 yards and an interception, and the offense’s disjointed performance wasn’t lost on Chris Godwin Jr.
“If we want to make a run at this thing, we’ve got to get it together — and fast,” Godwin said.
Tampa Bay briefly grabbed a 17-14 lead in the third quarter thanks to physical running from Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but defensive miscues and short fields kept New Orleans in striking distance. A 54-yard return on the opening kickoff set up the Saints’ first touchdown, and a later field goal tied the game at 17.
The Bucs were also burned by several failed fourth-and-short attempts, including a blown-up pitch to Bucky Irving for a 7-yard loss in the first quarter. Injuries compounded the problems, with Ben Bredeson, Tykee Smith, and Haason Reddick all leaving the game. Tampa Bay was already without All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs and receiver Mike Evans.
Shough finished with 144 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, and two backbreaking touchdown runs — including a 34-yard burst to open the second half that flipped momentum toward New Orleans.
Now, with the division tightening and the season entering its stretch run, the Bucs must regroup quickly before hosting Atlanta on Thursday night.
The Buccaneers return to Raymond James Stadium on Thursday, December 11, to host the Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 PM — you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM, The Mighty 98 Rock.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES
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