The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) entered the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to play the 2-3 Saints on Sunday. In the rush game, the Buccaneers were ranked 20th in the league. Bucs starting running back Rachaad White would not be playing against the Saints due to a foot issue, and rookie center Graham Barton would not be playing due to a hamstring issue. So, one would question how the rushing attack would go for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 6.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would face a 9th-ranked Saints defense and a 26th-ranked defense that likes to use its linebackers to clog the middle of the field to block passing lanes. The Bucs wouldn’t be facing Saints quarterback Derek Carr due to injury, but the Saints running back did suit up. The Buccaneers are ranked 19th in the league against the run. The Saints are ranked 7th in the run game. Would the Buccaneers’ defense stop a one-show offense with a rookie quarterback under center?
Bucs Run Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have gotten a win against their division rivals, the New Orleans Saints, 51-27, but it didn’t come without a few twists and turns. The Buccaneers took a 17-0 lead in the first quarter against the Saints after some turnovers by Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who started well, going nine for nine in completions. That was followed up with getting picked off three times in the first half. By the end of the first half, the Bucs were facing a 24-27 score with the Saints up three.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were without their starting running back, Rachaad White, but rookie running back Bucky Irving, who has been impressive throughout the season, would get the starting spot. Bucs backup Sean Tucker, who was good in preseason, would also get the green light for more snaps during the game. In the game’s final minutes, the Buccaneers would lean on the rushing attack to finish the game after shutting out the Saints 20-0 in the second half. Irving would finish the day with 14 carries for 81 yards with one touchdown, and Tucker with 14 carries for 136 yards with one touchdown. The Buccaneers would end the game with 277 yards total in the rush game.
Buccaneers Relentless D
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense gave up 27 points in the second quarter. After the offense’s turnovers, the Bucs defense defended a short field. The Saints took advantage of the Bucs’ mistakes for scores in the red zone. Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 13 carries for 40 yards with one touchdown. Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler ended the game on 22/40 in completions with 243 yards passing, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
The Buccaneers stopped the Saints’ offense from scoring in the second half, and the Bucs’ defense finished the day with five sacks on the rookie quarterback and ten hits. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, one of the league’s top blitzing coaches, constantly put pass pressure on Rattler in the second half. The Bucs’ defense secondary got two interceptions in the second half, and Zyon McCollum and Tykee Smith each got one.
Final Thought
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a good running back and a rookie quarterback. Baker Mayfield, quarterback for the Buccaneers, ended his day with 325 yards on 24/36 completions, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Bucs may have stopped their division rivals, the New Orleans Saints, but next week, they will face a good Baltimore Ravens offense with momentum. If the Buccaneers can zero out turnovers and implement another good game on the ground, we may be in for another thrilling game with the Buccaneers in Week 7 in the NFL.
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