That was certainly an emotional roller coaster of a game. 17-0 lead in the first quarter, 27-24 deficit at halftime, then a 51-27 win for the Bucs. There were certainly some standout performances for the Bucs in this one.
Tykee Smith
Give this man his flowers because he was absolutely outstanding. A forced fumble on the Saints’ first possession that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Antoine Winfield Jr., another forced fumble that ended up being overturned and ruled incomplete, his first career interception, a sack that should have been had he not been held, five tackles, two passes defensed. This was an absolute breakout performance for the rookie who was already playing well, but really took his game up a notch after the loss of Jamel Dean
Chris Godwin
This man owns the New Orleans Saints. I mentioned in my storylines and betting line piece that Godwin has gone for over 62.5 yards in every game against the Saints since 2021 and that was when he left with a torn ACL in the first half with 49 receiving yards already logged. Only three times since 2019 had he been held to less than 63 yards against New Orleans. In this one, he had 11 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns including a 55-yard catch and run to give the Bucs the lead back in the third quarter. Godwin against the Saints is just different.
Sean Tucker
Holy moly, what a day. We all kind of expected the Bucky Irving breakout - and he played well - but this was Tucker’s show. 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown - 9.7 yards per carry - plus three receptions for 56 yards and another touchdown. Tucker was unstoppable all day long. He was running with purpose and power and the Saints just had no answer for him whatsoever. Could be an interesting dynamic moving forward - but more on that in a bit.
The Pass Rush
Not so much in the second quarter, but especially in the second half. The boys on defense were buzzing, completely taking Spencer Rattler out of the game with constant pressure and forcing bad passes. Lavonte David, Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Chris Braswell/K.J. Britt, and William Gholston all had sacks - five in total - to go along with ten quarterback hits. There were two sacks that were prevented by holds (that went uncalled) that kept Yaya Diaby and Tykee Smith out of the sack column. It was as if the defense flipped a switch at halftime and made Rattler’s life miserable the entire second half.
Jalen McMillan
Started off rough by not fair catching a punt where he was absolutely rocked and could have turned the ball over. Then had a pass hit him square in the hands before going up into the air to be intercepted. He didn’t get another target after that. McMillan was brought in to be the WR3 and while he missed the last two games with injury, he didn’t show any of the flash or promise that he had throughout training camp, the preseason, or the first few weeks of the season. Gotta get back on track.
Sterling Shepard
Shep had two really good games, but couldn’t get out of his own way in this one. Multiple boneheaded penalties that set the offense back and/or negated positive plays. He finished with more rushing yards (31) than receiving yards (23) and every time we turned around - especially in the second quarter - there was another penalty being called on number 17. Really hurt the Bucs there for a stretch.
Rachaad White
It’s not entirely fair to put an inactive player into the loser category, but the rushing performance in White’s absence is something that is going to turn a lot of heads. Tucker finished with nearly more rushing yards in this game than White has the entire season. Bucky Irving added 81 rushing yards of his own with a 5.8 yards per carry average. The two combined for five receptions on five targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. This isn’t an offensive line problem, this is starting to look like a Rachaad White problem. For the record, I think Rachaad would have had a really solid game against the Saints - but he’s had chances against other really poor run defenses this season and hasn’t done much. There is going to be a serious conversation about the running back usage moving forward and Tucker earned more opportunities in Coen’s offense - those are going to come at the expense of White moving forward until he can show he’s as efficient and productive as Irving and Tucker were against the Saints.
That was certainly an emotional roller coaster of a game. 17-0 lead in the first quarter, 27-24 deficit at halftime, then a 51-27 win for the Bucs. There were certainly some standout performances for the Bucs in this one.
Tykee Smith
Give this man his flowers because he was absolutely outstanding. A forced fumble on the Saints’ first possession that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Antoine Winfield Jr., another forced fumble that ended up being overturned and ruled incomplete, his first career interception, a sack that should have been had he not been held, five tackles, two passes defensed. This was an absolute breakout performance for the rookie who was already playing well, but really took his game up a notch after the loss of Jamel Dean
Chris Godwin
This man owns the New Orleans Saints. I mentioned in my storylines and betting line piece that Godwin has gone for over 62.5 yards in every game against the Saints since 2021 and that was when he left with a torn ACL in the first half with 49 receiving yards already logged. Only three times since 2019 had he been held to less than 63 yards against New Orleans. In this one, he had 11 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns including a 55-yard catch and run to give the Bucs the lead back in the third quarter. Godwin against the Saints is just different.
Sean Tucker
Holy moly, what a day. We all kind of expected the Bucky Irving breakout - and he played well - but this was Tucker’s show. 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown - 9.7 yards per carry - plus three receptions for 56 yards and another touchdown. Tucker was unstoppable all day long. He was running with purpose and power and the Saints just had no answer for him whatsoever. Could be an interesting dynamic moving forward - but more on that in a bit.
The Pass Rush
Not so much in the second quarter, but especially in the second half. The boys on defense were buzzing, completely taking Spencer Rattler out of the game with constant pressure and forcing bad passes. Lavonte David, Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Chris Braswell/K.J. Britt, and William Gholston all had sacks - five in total - to go along with ten quarterback hits. There were two sacks that were prevented by holds (that went uncalled) that kept Yaya Diaby and Tykee Smith out of the sack column. It was as if the defense flipped a switch at halftime and made Rattler’s life miserable the entire second half.
Jalen McMillan
Started off rough by not fair catching a punt where he was absolutely rocked and could have turned the ball over. Then had a pass hit him square in the hands before going up into the air to be intercepted. He didn’t get another target after that. McMillan was brought in to be the WR3 and while he missed the last two games with injury, he didn’t show any of the flash or promise that he had throughout training camp, the preseason, or the first few weeks of the season. Gotta get back on track.
Sterling Shepard
Shep had two really good games, but couldn’t get out of his own way in this one. Multiple boneheaded penalties that set the offense back and/or negated positive plays. He finished with more rushing yards (31) than receiving yards (23) and every time we turned around - especially in the second quarter - there was another penalty being called on number 17. Really hurt the Bucs there for a stretch.
Rachaad White
It’s not entirely fair to put an inactive player into the loser category, but the rushing performance in White’s absence is something that is going to turn a lot of heads. Tucker finished with nearly more rushing yards in this game than White has the entire season. Bucky Irving added 81 rushing yards of his own with a 5.8 yards per carry average. The two combined for five receptions on five targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. This isn’t an offensive line problem, this is starting to look like a Rachaad White problem. For the record, I think Rachaad would have had a really solid game against the Saints - but he’s had chances against other really poor run defenses this season and hasn’t done much. There is going to be a serious conversation about the running back usage moving forward and Tucker earned more opportunities in Coen’s offense - those are going to come at the expense of White moving forward until he can show he’s as efficient and productive as Irving and Tucker were against the Saints.
.png)
.png)
.png)
