Bucs receiver Chris Godwin continued his elite play, hauling in 10 catches and a pair of touchdowns for 111 yards receiving. Credit: Photo via Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a trio of picks, and the New Orleans Saints got a punt return for a touchdown, but the good guys overcame it all Sunday afternoon.

Tampa Bay snuck away with a 51-27 victory after throwing four touchdown passes and, for only the second time since 2016, rushing for over 200 yards (277 to be exact).

The Saints were starting rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who made his NFL debut due to starter Derek Carr’s oblique injury, and his inexperience showed at times in a performance that included a pair of interceptions and five sacks.

However, the Saints’ receivers did him no favors, with several drops and a fumble from star wideout Chris Olave that Antoine Winfield, Jr. scooped and took to the house.

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The biggest stars of the game, though, were Bucs running backs Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving, who both played big roles in the absence of starter Rachaad White who was sidelined with a foot injury. Tucker had over 150 yards from scrimmage, with a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown sprinkled in to boot.

Irving had a rushing touchdown of his own along with over 70 yards of rushing, stats he racked up despite the Bucs missing starting center and first round pick Graham Barton (backup Robert Hainsey did a serviceable job filling in for the former Duke Blue Devil).

Bucs receiver Chris Godwin continued his elite play, hauling in 10 catches and a pair of touchdowns for 111 yards receiving, continuing his quest to earn a huge contract in his walk season.

Tampa Bay’s rookie safety Tykee Smith and corner Zyon McCollum picked Rattler off twice, overcoming what was a rough performance from the entire secondary in the Bucs’ last performance against the Falcons where it gave up 36 points in the loss.

And despite a nightmare second quarter where New Orleans outscored Tampa Bay 27-7 to take a three point lead, the Bucs were able to bounce back and take home a key road victory.

Were the Saints expected to lose with the rookie under center? Sure, but the rest of that roster gets paid, too, and Tampa Bay managed to take care of business against a division rival.

The Bucs take on the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium in Monday Night Football next week, with Lamar Jackson coming off a ho-hum-for-him elite performance against a strong Washington Commanders team, as the Ravens moved to 4-2 on the season after the home victory.

Fire those cannons Tampa Bay, because it’s nice to have something to cheer about.

Tickets to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Oct. 21 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa are still available and start at $122. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

This article appears in Oct 10-16, 2024.