First Quarter:
Buccaneers’ fans’ first facetime with Baker Mayfield came with 12:13 first quarter, following a forced fumble by Anthony Nelson. Nelson, in his first starting action of the season, instantly found the football
and gave Tampa Bay the game’s first swing of momentum. Josh Grizzard quickly featured Rachaad White who got to running and then got to watching his team get to punting. Another Saints drive and another Tampa Bay stop. The Bucs’ next drive would carry them across midfield and into the second quarter.
Second Quarter:
The Buccaneers would take that drive all the way down to the one-yard line of the Saints. A great drive until— It wasn’t. The Buccaneers worked their way all the way down the field to end zone, but failed to work their way into it. A one-yard, back to the end zone, goal-line-stand by the Saints’ defense kept the scoreboard blank for both teams.
Most Bucs’ fans scouring the injury report may have been upset to see that Haason Reddick would not be participating in Sunday’s contest in New Orleans, however, that tone would quickly change when it became clear Anthony Nelson would be having a career day. With a forced fumble and a sack already stacked on his stat sheet, Nelson added a pick-six as he intercepted Spencer Rattler, threw the thrower out of his way, and waltzed into the end zone. 7-0, Buccaneers.
Tampa’s next highlight reel play would be reeled in by the game’s officials. Jamel dean with a punch at the ball would force another fumble. With a loose ball on the ground, Antoine Winfield Jr. treated Bucs’ fans to a scoop and score. 14-0, Buccaneers— Until, it wasn’t. Upon further review, a rogue whistle called the play back because although the ruling on the field of a fumble was correct an official had blown his whistle, preventing the ball from being advanced. 14-0 remained 7-0 and would stay 7-0 because the only first half highlights Baker Mayfield would find himself from that point forward was highlight play for New Orleans’ pass rush— A strip sack and subsequent recovery by Chase Young to set the Saints up for their first points of the game. 7-3, Tampa Bay.
Third Quarter:
The Bucs’ offense had arguably (with consideration given to the opponent) its worst half of the season in Sunday’s opening thirty minutes. The group was determined to re-write that story in the game’s second thirty. Tampa Bay, with Baker Mayfield seemingly finding his groove or perhaps a just a groove inside of his current rut, Took the Buccaneers into the end zone for Cade Otton touchdown— Until, it wasn’t. An official review rerouted the Buccaneers out of the end zone and back towards their kryptonite— The one-yard line. One play, two plays, three plays, and finally a Sean Tucker touchdown. 14-3, Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay did add another three points to their total, however, the third quarter’s main headline will be the benching of Spencer rattler for rookie Tyler Shough. Saints’ fans hoping to see Shough line up as the team’s savior had to endure their first indignity. Shough wasted no time finding Tampa’s primary ball hawk, Antoine Winfield Jr. for his first career interception on his first career drive.
Fourth Quarter:
The fourth quarter of Sunday afternoon’s game against the Saints will not be remembered for its scoring. The final fifteen began with Tampa Bay going up plus three on another Chase McLaughlin field goal and as the game ticked into its final 10 minutes Tampa ticked three more points on the board. 23-3, Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay would pull their starters, sustain their 20-point lead, and finish week eight as the only NFC South team to add a tally in the win column. 5-2, first place in the NFC South and a bye week on the horizon.
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