The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faltered in Week 14 at home, losing to the New Orleans Saints, 24-20, on a rainy day in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs converted just two-of-seven fourth-down attempts, which gifted the Saints positive field position after the perpetual turnovers on downs. Miscues became the storyline for the Buccaneers in Week 14 as the Saints scored three touchdowns for just the second time during the 2025 season, two off scrambles by Tyler Shough. The loss dropped the Bucs to 7-6 and they are now tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South.
Offensive Overview
On Sunday, Baker Mayfield completed his first eight passes of the game and capped off an opening possession with a 24-yard scoring pass to Bucky Irving. The Saints' Chase Young created pressure inside on Mayfield after he faked the handoff, but the signal-caller managed to get the ball to Irving on the screen as Dan Feeney blocked downfield. The passing attack stalled for most of the day after the torrential downpour commenced, and Mayfield completed just six more throws to conclude the division showdown going 14-of-30 for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception. On the interception play, Kam Johnson cut his dig route short and Mayfield was not expecting it, which set up the Saints at the Tampa Bay 47-yard line after a 10-yard return. In Week 14, Mayfield effectively scrambled to extend plays, totaling 42 yards on six carries as part of a 179-yard ground attack for the Buccaneers, including three critical third-down conversions.
Irving amassed 55 yards on 15 carries and counterpart Rachaad White posted 53 yards on 11 totes. Sean Tucker scored on a one-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. That touchdown helped the Bucs reclaim the lead and the drive consisted of seven runs, with one sprinkled incompletion to Tez Johnson downfield. During the drive, the Bucs played smash-mouth football with most runs coming up the middle with White and Tucker, while the offensive line was proficient at the point of attack to generate push.
Defensive Rundown
The Buccaneers allowed a 54-yard kickoff return to begin the afternoon, which the Saints capitalized on with a three-yard touchdown run by Devin Neal. Tyler Shough exploited the middle of the field versus zone, with gains of 10-plus yards by Devaughn Vele and Juwan Johnson. Shough scrambled for 11 yards, which brought the Saints to first-and-goal and set up the Neal score. Two mis-fits by the Bucs led to touchdown runs for Shough, including a 34-yard run in the third and a 13-yard run in the final frame. On the 34-yarder, the Saints loaded up with max protection and Shough faked the handoff, then took off to the left with Vele delivering a block on Jamel Dean.
The Bucs' defense held New Orleans to 260 total yards but the Saints were effective at moving the chains on third downs, converting five of 11 attempts. Overall, Shough completed 13 of 20 passes for 144 yards and one interception in his fifth-consecutive start. Cornerback Zyon McCollum secured the pick in the second quarter, setting up a field goal drive that put the Bucs in front, 10-7. Prior to the pick, Shough saw the safety roll over. He moved his eyes to the left to bait the safety and when he turned to throw the football, Olave had stopped on the comeback route and McCollum continued running to intercept. Vita Vea, Chris Braswell Jr. and Greg Gaines all recorded sacks for Tampa Bay, though Shough was adept at escaping pressure, finding lanes to take advantage of. Christian Izien, who took over for injured Tykee Smith, led the Bucs with eight tackles, including one for a loss.
