Buccaneers top Saints 31-9

Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled into New Orleans on Sunday after having a hard time stopping the Philadelphia Eagles’ running game on Monday Night Football. A majority priority for the Buccaneers’ defense this week was to identify and stop the run from the opposing teams. Tampa Bay succeeded on Sunday holding the Saints under 100 rushing yards, and more importantly to only 3 field goals total. The Buccaneers only allowed a total of 197 yards for the game and a season low for the Saints of 3.2 yards per play. New Orleans was held to 5 of 14 first down conversions and turned the ball over 3 times (2 fumbles and 1 interception thrown).

Baker Mayfield seems to be fitting in the locker room and is grabbing a hold of the Buccaneers offense. Mayfield passed for 3 touchdowns on 25 of 32 completions totaling 246 yards. Teammates of Baker are noticing his leadership and stellar gameplay. “You see him making plays, scrambling, taking some big shots, popping back up – that’s infectious for the team. It makes the offensive line want to block more, makes us want to run our routes a little bit harder and give him a chance because we know he’s going to play as much as he can to give us a chance,” Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin stated after Sunday’s victory. Returning for the Saints was quarterback Derek Carr who had a 29.9 quarterback rating. New Orleans drops to a 2-2 record and travels to New England to face a 1-3 Patriots team that are desperate for a win as well. Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the surging Detroit Lions in a battle to 3-1 teams next Sunday afternoon.