The New Orleans Saints (2-10) will head to Florida for a second straight week to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) on Sunday afternoon.
Last time out, the Saints failed to come back against the Miami Dolphins, losing 21-17 off a failed two-point conversion. Minkah Fitzpatrick’s interception of Tyler Shough, which led to two additional points for Miami, was the difference-maker late in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Cardinals 20-17 last week. Star offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs caught Baker Mayfield’s lone touchdown pass in the win.
Kickoff between New Orleans and Miami from Raymond James Stadium is scheduled for noon on Sunday, December 7th.
LACKING ON OFFENSE
Both teams will be without key offensive contributors.
For New Orleans, Alvin Kamara will miss a second week in a row, giving rookie Devin Neal another starting opportunity. Backup offensive tackle Asim Richards will also start, with Taliese Fuaga missing another game. Chris Olave isn’t healthy either, but is questionable for Sunday’s matchup. If he can’t go, rookie Tyler Shough will have to rely on throwing to Juwan Johnson, DeVaughn Vele, and Mason Tipton.
The Bucs will also be without some key players. Mike Evans isn’t ready to return from a collarbone injury he suffered back on October 20th, and second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan has yet to make his 2025 debut for Tampa. There are more players on the Bucs’ injury report, including Wirfs and Chris Godwin, but both of them are questionable after being limited in Friday’s practice.
NEW KICKER?
The Black and Gold’s issues were apparent throughout the majority of the season, with Blake Grupe having the worst made field goal percentage in the league. New Orleans moved on from Grupe after he missed two kicks versus the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago.
That led to former LSU kicker Cade York signing to the Saints’ practice squad. York battled international kicker Charlie Smyth ahead of last week’s game in Miami, with Smyth prevailing and traveling with the team.
Smyth made his lone attempt for 56 yards out and executed a successful onside kick in the fourth quarter. That performance was enough for Kellen Moore and his staff to elevate Smyth from the practice squad, along with receiver Kevin Austin Jr, to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
DIVISON RACE
The Saints are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after last week’s loss to the Dolphins. This comes with five games left in the regular season.
Tampa, on the other hand, has plenty to play for. The Buccaneers lead the NFC South at 7-5, a half-game ahead of the Carolina Panthers, who are 7-6 and have their bye this week.
The expectation is that only one team from this division will make the playoffs. Across the NFC, seven teams have at least eight wins. New Orleans is looking to play spoiler to a Tampa Bay team that needs to keep its distance from Carolina in these last handful of weeks.
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 40-28
Last 5 Meetings:
2025: BUCS 23 – SAINTS 3
2025: BUCS 27 – SAINTS 19
2024: BUCS 51 – SAINTS 27
2023: SAINTS 23 – BUCS 13
2023: BUCS 26 – SAINTS 9
STAT LEADERS:
Saints
Tyler Shough: 107-164, 1,068 Yards, 5 TD, 4 INT
Alvin Kamara: 131 Carries, 471 Yards, 1 TD
Chris Olave: 73 Catches, 781 Yards, 5 TD
Carl Granderson: 6.5 Sacks
Demario Davis: 111 Tackles (53 Solo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry: 3 INT
Charlie Smyth: 1-of-1 Field Goals, Long of 54, 11-of-11 PAT
Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield: 243-387, 2,600 Yards, 19 TD, 5 INT
Rachaad White: 106 Carries, 421 Yards, 4 TD
Emeka Egbuka: 52 Catches, 791 Yards, 6 TD
Yaya Diaby: 6 Sacks
Tykee Smith: 87 Tackles (52 Solo)
Jamel Dean: 3 INT
Chase McLaughlin: 22-of-26 Field Goals, Long of 65, 23-of-24 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Ankle, Out
Alvin Kamara, RB, Knee/Ankle, Out
Chris Olave, WR, Back, Questionable
Justin Reid, S, Knee, Out
Jonas Sanker, S, Head, Questionable
Buccaneers
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Oblique, Questionable
Mike Evans, WR, Collarbone, Out
Chris Godwin, WR, Fibula, Questionable
Bucky Irving, RB, Shoulder, Questionable
Baker Mayfield, QB, Left Shoulder, Probable
Jalen McMillan, WR, Neck, Out
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Hamstring, Questionable
Haason Reddick, OLB, Ankle, Probable
Rashad Wisdom, S, Quad, Out