The Tampa Bay Buccaneers punched their ticket to 6-2 with a throwback defensive masterpiece in New Orleans, throttling the Saints 23-3 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and heading into the bye on a high.
It started as a field-position fistfight.
Anthony Nelson set the tone early, swiping the ball from Spencer Rattler to snuff out the Saints’ opening push. Tampa Bay couldn’t cash that one, but Nelson made sure the next turnover put points on the board, jumping a pass at the goal line for a pick-six to open the second quarter and a 7–0 lead.
The period turned into a turnover carousel.
Jamel Dean punched a would-be catch loose before a quick whistle erased Antoine Winfield Jr.’s return, and a late Baker Mayfield fumble gifted New Orleans three points before halftime. Tampa still led 7-3 at the break thanks to a defense that kept the Saints between the 20s and nowhere else.
Todd Bowles’ crew slammed the door after halftime.
Tampa Bay ripped down the field to start the third, and Sean Tucker powered in from the 1 for the first offensive TD of the day. A Chase McLaughlin field goal stretched it to 17-3, and then Winfield authored the play of the night, ripping the ball straight out of a receiver’s hands for yet another takeaway.
From there, the Bucs leaned on the clock, kicks, and clamps, two more McLaughlin field goals in the fourth and a defense that forced punts, a turnover on downs, and wholesale frustration.
Offensively, rookie Emeka Egbuka flashed as a chains-mover in his expanded role, and Cade Otton provided timely YAC. But this was about Bowles’ defense, gap-sound against the run, sticky at the catch point, and ruthless finishing plays.
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A divisional win on the road, four takeaways and 23-3. The Bucs control their bye-week vibes and the NFC South conversation.
Next stop? get healthy, then keep the pedal down against New England at home on Nov. 9.
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