The Tampa Bay Buccaneers make a second consecutive road trip in Week Eight and return to play within the NFC South for the first time since the season opener as they face the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. The game is set to kick off at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, as the Bucs run on short rest after their Week Seven game in Detroit.
Despite losing in the Motor City, the 5-2 Buccaneers are still tied for the top spot in the NFC standings with the Eagles, Lions, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams. (The 4-1-1 Packers have one fewer win but actually have a slightly better win percentage at .750.) Tampa Bay has only played one other game against a division opponent, beating the Falcons in Atlanta, 23-20, in Week One. The Bucs are coming off a season low in points after a 24-9 prime-time loss to the Lions, but are still averaging 24.9 points per game, good for 13th in the NFL. Baker Mayfield suffered just his second interception of the season on a fluky play in Detroit on which the defender ripped the ball out of Cade Otton's hands during a tackle, but he has also compiled 13 touchdown passes and a 99.8 passer rating. He and the Bucs' offense will head into the heart of their season without their all-time leading receiver, Mike Evans, who suffered a broken clavicle against the Lions.
The Saints are off to their slowest start in a quarter-century, as the last time they were 1-6 after seven games was in 1999. However, three of their six losses have come by seven or fewer points and first-year Head Coach Kellen Moore is getting steady play out of second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024. Rattler has thrown for 1,469 yards and eight touchdowns, and had been picked off just once before the Bears got him three times in Week Seven. Wide receiver Chris Olave has been a high-volume target, with 44 catches for 440 yards and three scores, though his 10.0 yards per catch is well below his career average. On defense, Carl Granderson leads the way with 4.5 sacks and is close to reaching 5.0 for the fifth time in his seven seasons in the NFL, and the ageless Demario Davis has already racked up 61 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Here are four major storylines and four head-to-head player battles to keep an eye on in Week Eight as the Bucs take on a division opponent for the first time since Week One.
TOP STORYLINES
Getting Back in Synch – Heading into last Monday night's game in Detroit, the Buccaneers were sixth in the NFL in scoring with 27.5 points per game and had reached the 20-point mark in each of their first six outings. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was drawing legitimate NFL MVP chatter after throwing for 12 touchdowns and just one interception and consistently coming up big in clutch moments. That offense took a dip in Detroit, though, scoring just nine points and slipping to 13th in the NFL in scoring. Mayfield threw the ball a season-high 50 times, which was definitely not the pregame plan, and he and his receivers looked out of synch for much of the night. It didn't help that Evans left with his injury after just 14 snaps and star rookie Emeka Egbuka was likely running at less than 100% due to a Week Six hamstring strain. Mayfield is obviously still a prime MVP candidate given his heroics through the first six weeks of the season, but without Evans, Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin the offense can't afford many more games in which it struggles with consistently moving the ball if the Buccaneers are going to stay near the top of a crowded NFC race. The Saints' defense is allowing 26.6 points per game, the sixth-highest average in the league, but is 12th against the pass and will be motivated to prolong the struggles of their long-time rivals.
Pre-Bye Momentum – The Buccaneers will enjoy their bye week after the trip to New Orleans, and no matter the results in Week Eight they will at worst be tied for first place in the NFC South with four of their six intra-division games still to be played. Despite their mounting injuries, the Buccaneers seem very likely to remain in the playoff hunt for the remainder of the season. All of that said 6-2 heading into the bye week will be substantially more of a psychological lift then 5-2 with a two-game losing streak. The Buccaneers have made a habit in recent seasons of taking their game to another level after their bye weeks, largely because their backs were against the wall due to mid-season lulls. This season, the Buccaneers have a chance to put themselves into the driver's seat earlier in the division race if they can got to 2-0 against NFC South opponents and stay near the top of the overall NFC standings. The Buccaneers' long and contentious history with the Saints makes it unthinkable that they would take this midseason matchup lightly despite New Orleans' record. The Saints are certain to provide a stiff challenge on Sunday, but if the Buccaneers can meet that challenge and leave with a win they will enjoy their bye week quite a bit more.
Rattling Rattler – The Saints used a high second-round draft pick on Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in April, but Rattler held off the rookie in a wide-open competition for the starting job in the preseason and has made that decision look good for the most part. Though he had the aforementioned three-pick game on Sunday in Chicago, he has otherwise protected the football well and has shown that he can keep the Saints' offense moving with both his arm and his legs. As is the case with most young quarterbacks, of course, Rattler is more prone to mistakes when the opposing defense applies consistent pressure on him in the backfield, and that will obviously be one of the Buccaneers' main goals on Sunday in the Superdome. Last week against the Bears, Rattler completed 19 of 28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns when throwing from inside the pocket but was just one of four for two yards and two interceptions when the defense put him on the run outside the pocket. Rattler also has a significantly better completion rate this season when working against a zone defense then when faced with man coverage. The Buccaneers held the 49ers' offense somewhat in check in a 30-19 Week Six win largely because they were able to sack Mac Jones six times and get pressure on him on a high percentage of his drop-backs, and they did so while rarely sending extra blitzers. If the Bucs can get pressure with a four-man rush and give Rattler some tough man-coverage looks, that could considerably increase their chances of holding the Saints' offense down.
Protecting the Rock – The Buccaneers turned the ball over twice on Monday night in Detroit, doubling the number of giveaways they had committed during a 5-1 start. Not coincidentally, the Bucs are undefeated in the five games they have avoided turning the ball over even once, and 0-2 in the two contests they did cough it up. Meanwhile, the 1-6 Saints got their lone win so far over the Giants in Week Five and that happens to be the only game in which they have won the turnover battle in 2025. After a maddening stretch from 2019-21 in which the Saints took total control of the head-to-head series (barring, of course, the Bucs' playoff win in New Orleans during their 2020 Super Bowl run), the Bucs have turned the tables in the last three years, winning five of six. Again, in what is surely not a coincidence, the one game they lost in that stretch, in December of 2023, came after they lost the turnover battle, 4-0. It is obviously no secret that turnovers are one of the most important factors in deciding all NFL games, but that issue seems particularly crucial to this weekend's matchup in the Superdome.
View the top images of Tampa Bay's game against the Detroit Lions on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at Ford Field.
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Football before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leads the team onto the field before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54, Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31, Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 and Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate a sack during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 30-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - General Manager Jason Licht of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15, Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2, Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 and Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Guard Mike Jordan #60, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Guard Mike Jordan #60, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles, Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 and Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 and Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 and Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 and Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 and Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96, Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 and Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DETROIT, MI - October 20, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. The Bucs lost the game, 24-9. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KEY MATCHUPS
1. Saints RB Alvin Kamara vs. Buccaneers LB SirVocea Dennis
The Buccaneers are very familiar with the talents of Kamara, the Saints' long-running backfield star, having faced him 14 times over the previous eight seasons. (They missed him once each in 2022 and 2024 due to injuries.) In those 14 games, Kamara has surprisingly averaged just 44.7 rushing yards per game and 3.79 yards per carry, some of his lowest career figures against any opponent. However, by catching 79 passes for 565 yards in those contests, averaging 7.15 yards per reception. With the exception of a 78-yard breakaway run by Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs due to a missed gap fit on Monday night, most of the damage opposing running backs have done against the Bucs' defense this season have been in the passing game. In his first season as a starter next to Lavonte David in the middle of the Bucs' defense, Dennis has gradually settled into that role and has been a key component in the team's strong run defense. In Detroit, he racked up 12tackles and added a sack and a tackle for loss. In his brief cameo in a rotational role last season before needing season-ending shoulder surgery, Dennis was most effective in a coverage role, which is considered one of his strengths. He will need to lean on that ability on Sunday against one of the NFL's best pass-catching backs of the past decade.
2. Buccaneers T Tristan Wirfs vs. Saints DE Carl Granderson
Tristan Wirfs missed the first three games of the season while recovering from July knee surgery but has gradually knocked off the rust and returned to the form that made him the first player in NFL history to earn first-team AP All-Pro honors at both right and left tackle. Wirfs is incredibly athletic and nimble on his feet and has been one of the league's best pass-blocking tackles throughout his six-year career. Last season, he allowed a 4.7% pressure rate, which ranked second among all NFL left tackles who faced at least 200 pass-rush snaps. Wirfs should see plenty of one-on-one action against Carl Granderson, who could be on his way to a career season with a team-best 4.5 sacks through the Saints' first seven games. Granderson was already a steady producer heading into his seventh season, with at least 5.5 sacks in each of the last three seasons, but he now has a good shot at his first double-digit sack campaign. Last season, Granderson accounted for 24.7% of the Saints total quarterback pressures, the eighth-highest pressure share for any player in the NFL. This season, he has accumulated 15 pressures and six QB hits and has produced an average get-off of 0.89 seconds after the snap, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
3. Saints WR Rashid Shaheed vs. Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison
Chris Olave is clearly the Saints' number-one receiver, but Rashid Shaheed might be the scarier foe for the Bucs' secondary. While Shaheed's current average of 11.9 yards per catch is significantly lower than the 16.6-yard average he had through his first three seasons, he remains a big play waiting to happen. The Giants found that out when Shaheed caught an 87-yard touchdown pass against them in the Saints' lone win so far this season. From 2022-24, Shaheed caught 90 passes that traveled 50 or more yards in the air, the most among all NFL players in that span. After weathering some short-term injuries to Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, the Buccaneers have their starting outside cornerback duo in place at midseason but are still making an effort to get Morrison involved on defense. Morrison has missed three games to injury, as well, but when he's been active he has routinely been given a chunk of Dean's playing time, including 22 defensive snaps on Monday night in Detroit in Week Seven. The Buccaneers plan on continuing to rotate Morrison into games because they want him to be prepared if further injuries require him to take on a larger role. As such, there are likely to be some stretches in the game in which Morrison is tasked with keeping Shaheed from turning in one of his signature big plays. Morrison is a strong man-to-man coverage defender with quick feet and agile change-of-direction skills.
4. Buccaneers TE Cade Otton vs. Saints LB Demario Davis
After a quiet start to the 2025 season, statistically, Otton is once again turning into one of Baker Mayfield's favored targets in the midst of a rash of injuries to the team's receiving stars. In Detroit, Otton was targeted nine times and turned that into seven catches for 65 yards. Over the past three games, the do-it-all tight end has caught 16 passes for 197 yards and has emerged as one of the offense's most reliable chain-movers. The Bucs have seen an uptick in their usage of two-TE personnel groupings – a trend likely driven by the injuries at wide receiver and offensive line – and that might actually be driving Otton's surge in passing targets. With Payne Durham joining him on the line on a good number of snaps, the Buccaneers have more opportunities to sneak Otton out into routes from his in-line spot. This Sunday, he and the Bucs' passing attack will face one of the NFL's best pass-defending linebackers in the Saints' Demario Davis. Davis leads the Saints with 61 tackles, 17 of which have come against pass-catchers. From 2018-23, he lead all NFL defenders with an average of 5.5 yards allowed on plays when he was the targeted defender. Davis has just one pass defensed so far this season but he's had 46 since joining the Saints' defense in 2018.
