The 5-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will resume intra-division play and an often-heated rivalry with the 1-6 New Orleans Saints in Week Eight, with a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff scheduled at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, October 26. The Buccaneers are trying to protect a one-game lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South while the Saints will be playing their first game against a division foe this season.
Both the Bucs and Saints are coming off double-digit losses on the road to NFC North opponents, Tampa Bay in Detroit on Monday night and New Orleans in Chicago last Sunday. Both have given up 25-plus points per game this season but both are also on the positive side of the turnover ratio. Tampa Bay slipped to 16th in the league rankings in overall offensive production after their loss in Detroit, just a bit ahead of the Saints defense, which ranks 19th. Here's how the Buccaneers and Saints stack up against each other for their Week Eight meeting in the Big Easy:
When Tampa Bay Has the Ball:
| Buccaneers Offense | Category | Saints Defense |
|---|---|---|
| 16th (338.9) | Net Yards Per Game | t-19th (335.7) |
| 15th (5.47) | Yards Per Play | 28th (4.77) |
| 13th (24.9) | Points Per Game | 27th (26.6) |
| 24th (94.6) | Rushing Yards Per Game | 24th (129.4) |
| 9th (239.3) | Passing Yards Per Game | 12th (206.3) |
| 17th (38.2%) | Third Down Percentage | 18th (39.0%) |
| 12th (5.71%) | Sacks Per Pass Play | 20th (6.90%) |
| 3rd (0.82%) | Interception Percentage | 17th (1.97%) |
| t-21st (50.0%) | Red Zone Touchdown Pct. | t-13th (58.3%) |
When New Orleans Has the Ball:
| Saints Offense | Category | Buccaneers Defense |
|---|---|---|
| 24th (297.9) | Net Yards Per Game | 17th (328.0) |
| 28th (4.77) | Yards Per Play | 19th (5.42) |
| 29th (17.9) | Points Per Game | 22nd (25.0) |
| 23rd (100.1) | Rushing Yards Per Game | 11th (99.0) |
| 24th (197.7) | Passing Yards Per Game | 21st (229.0) |
| 22nd (36.8%) | Third Down Percentage | 11th (36.8%) |
| 14th (6.28%) | Sacks Per Pass Play | 10th (8.77%) |
| 18th (2.09%) | Interception Percentage | 13th (2.19%) |
| 28th (45.0%) | Red Zone Touchdown Pct. | t-24th (66.7%) |
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 10/23/2025
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Mike Jordan #60 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 and Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Visor during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Dan Feeney #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Mohamed Kamara #59 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Tackle Tyler McLellan #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Buccaneers flag during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Keith Tandy and Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Linebacker Nick Jackson #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - General Manager Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Advantage Buccaneers: Rush Defense
The Buccaneers gave up 164 rushing yards to Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions on Monday night but otherwise have been very stout against opposing ground games this season. The Lions were just the second team to crack 100 yards on the Bucs' defense so far this season, and Tampa Bay still ranks 11th in run defense, allowing 99.0 yards per game. The Bucs have also allowed just 3.94 yards per carry, the eighth-best mark in the league. Second-year safety Tykee Smith has joined Lavonte David and Vita Vea as elite run-stoppers in the Bucs' lineup, giving them a weapon at every level. The Saints' offense currently ranks 23rd in rushing yards per game, at 100.1, and 25th in yards per carry, at 3.83. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller form a strong backfield duo and quarterback Spencer Rattler has run for 155 yards of his own, but the Buccaneers will try to make the Saints' offense one-dimensional by shutting down the run game early.
Advantage Saints: Punt Returns
If the Buccaneers and Saints end up in a close battle that comes down to the wire, as most of Tampa Bay's games have this season, special teams could end up being a factor that tilts the final outcome in one direction or another. One area in that phase of the game in which the Saints appear to have an advantage on paper is their punt return production. That job belongs to speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheeed, who is averaging 14.0 yards per return this season, with a long of 40. The Saints have the sixth-best punt return average as a team, while the Buccaneers' punt coverage has allowed returners to find the open field a bit too often this season. Tampa Bay is allowing 15.5 yards per punt return, which ranks 28th in the NFL and gave up a 53-yarder to Houston in Week Two.
X-Factor: Third Down Success Rate
The Buccaneers led the NFL with a team-record third-down conversion percentage of 50.9% in 2024, but haven't quite been able to duplicate that success rate in 2025. After converting on just four of 16 tries in Monday night's loss to Detroit, the Bucs are down to 38.2% this season, which ranks 17th in the NFL. Essentially, this third-down battle is fairly even across the board in Sunday's matchup in New Orleans. The Saints rank 22nd on offense (36.8%) and 18th on defense (39.0%) while the Bucs pair that 38.2% rate on offense with a 36.8% mark on defense to rank 11th in the NFL. If either team can break from its current trend and dominate on third downs on Sunday, that could make the difference in the final outcome.
