Honestly, if you missed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints game back in October 2024, you missed one of the weirdest, most explosive afternoons of football in recent memory. It was supposed to be a standard divisional scrap. Instead, we got 78 points, a franchise record for yards, and a rookie quarterback making his debut under the brightest of lights.
Football is weird.
The Bucs came into that Week 6 matchup under a literal cloud. They’d just evacuated Tampa because of Hurricane Milton. They were staying in hotels, their families were displaced, and yet, they walked into the Caesars Superdome and dropped 51 points on their arch-rivals. It wasn't just a win; it was a 51-27 demolition that felt like a statement to the rest of the NFC South.
The Chaos of Spencer Rattler’s Debut
For Saints fans, the hype was all about Spencer Rattler. With Derek Carr sidelined by an oblique injury, the rookie from South Carolina was tossed into the deep end. Kinda stressful, right? He started shaky.
The Bucs jumped out to a 17-0 lead faster than you can grab a beer from the fridge. Antoine Winfield Jr. scooped up a fumble and took it 58 yards for a score. It looked like a blowout was brewing by the end of the first quarter. But then, the Superdome got loud.
Rattler settled in and the Saints exploded for 20 unanswered points in just five minutes. Rashid Shaheed—who is basically human lightning—took a punt 54 yards back for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Saints were leading 27-24 at the half. The stadium was shaking. You’ve seen this movie before where the momentum shifts and the road team collapses? Yeah, that didn’t happen this time.
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Why Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints Broke the Stat Sheet
The second half was a different sport entirely. Todd Bowles, the Bucs' head coach, clearly had some words for his defense at the break. They pitched a shutout in the second half. Zero points for New Orleans.
Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the offense went nuclear.
By the time the clock hit zero, the Bucs had racked up 594 net yards. That is a franchise record. Think about that for a second. In the decades of Buccaneers history, including the Tom Brady years, they never moved the ball better than they did on that Sunday in New Orleans.
- Baker Mayfield threw for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns.
- Sean Tucker, a guy many people hadn't even heard of, went for 136 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Bucky Irving added another 81 yards on the ground.
- Chris Godwin was a monster, hauling in 11 catches for 125 yards and two scores.
It was the fifth time in NFL history a team had 300 passing yards and 275 rushing yards in the same game. Total offensive perfection.
The 2025 Rematch: A Different Story
Fast forward to the 2025 season. The rivalry didn't get any friendlier. When we talk about Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, we have to look at how the Saints finally got their revenge in December 2025.
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That game was the opposite of the 2024 track meet. It was raining. It was ugly. It was a 24-20 slog at Raymond James Stadium.
The Saints started Tyler Shough at quarterback, and the rookie actually outplayed Baker Mayfield in the mud. Shough ran for two touchdowns, including a 13-yarder in the fourth quarter that basically broke the Bucs' backs. Mayfield struggled, completing only 14 of 30 passes. It's funny how a year changes things. One year you're setting records, the next you're sliding around in the rain losing to a 2-10 team.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
Most fans think the Saints always have the upper hand because of their all-time record. And look, the Saints do lead the series overall—roughly 40 wins to 27. But lately? The tide has shifted toward Tampa.
Before that rainy upset in late 2025, the Bucs had won three straight. They’ve owned the division for four years running. The Saints are in a rebuild, trying to find "the guy" at QB while the Bucs are riding the Baker Mayfield redemption tour.
The reality is that these games aren't decided by talent as much as they are by turnovers. In the 51-27 blowout, the Saints turned it over three times. In the 23-3 Bucs win earlier in 2025, the Saints turned it over four times. When you give Baker Mayfield extra possessions, he’s going to make you pay.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re watching or wagering on future matchups between these two, keep these specific factors in mind.
First, look at the turnover margin. The Bucs’ defense under Todd Bowles is designed to bait young quarterbacks into bad throws. If the Saints are starting a rookie or a backup, the "Over" on interceptions is usually a safe bet.
Second, watch the rushing attack. In the 2024 game, the Bucs used a committee of Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker to wear New Orleans down. The Saints' run defense has been surprisingly porous in recent years, especially in the second half of games.
Finally, don't ignore the weather and venue. The Superdome is a fast track. It favors the Bucs' current offensive style. But when the Saints travel to Tampa, the humidity and occasional tropical rain (like the December 2025 game) tend to level the playing field, making it a low-scoring dogfight.
The rivalry is far from dead. Even with the Saints struggling in the standings, they still find ways to ruin the Bucs' season, just like they did by erasing Tampa's division lead in late 2025.
Next Steps for You:
Check the current injury reports for the next scheduled meeting, specifically focusing on the Saints' offensive line health. Their inability to protect the quarterback has been the deciding factor in three of the last four matchups against Tampa Bay’s aggressive front seven. You should also track the development of Tyler Shough; if he remains the starter, the Saints' offense becomes much more mobile and difficult for the Bucs' linebackers to contain.