For the third consecutive season, the New Orleans Saints were eliminated from the playoffs at home inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Tampa Bay took advantage of four New Orleans turnovers, scoring three touchdowns off the takeaways, as the Buccaneers defeated their NFC South rivals 30-20.
How It Happened:
After forcing Tampa Bay to punt, New Orleans went 16 yards on six plays and settled for a 23-yard field goal by Will Lutz. After another punt by Tampa Bay, the Saints produced a 12-play, 46 yards and capped drive with a 42-yard field goal by Lutz.
Tampa Bay finally got on the scoreboard with a 15-play, 67-yard drive but the Bucs had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Ryan Succop. The Bucs then took advantage of a Saints turnover.
With the ball on their own 37-yard line, Drew Brees was intercepted by Sean Murphy-Bunting who returned it 36 yards. Tom Brady then threw a three-yard touchdown to Mike Evans.
New Orleans responded and did so with a trick play.
Alvin Kamara took a direct snap, tossed it to Emmanuel Sanders who then pitched it back to quarterback Jamies Winston. The Saints backup quarterback then threw a 56-yard touchdown to Tre’Quan Smith.
Tampa Bay managed to put together a 13-play, 63-yard drive before halftime and tied the game with a 37-yard field goal by Succop.
New Orleans opened up the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive as Brees threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith.
Tampa Bay took advantage of another New Orleans miscue.
Brees completed a third-down pass to tight end Jared Cook. Antoine Winfield Jr. stripped Cook and former LSU linebacker Devin White scooped it up. Five plays later, Brady threw a 6-yard touchdown to Leonard Fournette.
After a punt by the Saints, the Bucs took the lead with a 11-play, 61-yard drive as Succop kicked a 36-yard field goal.
Tampa Bay then took advantage of yet another turnover by New Orleans as Brees was intercepted by White. The Bucs needed only four plays to go 20 yards as Brady scored on a one-yard touchdown run.
The Bucs sealed the game after the fourth turnover by the Saints. Brees threw a pass to Cook which bounced off of his chest and intercepted.
Big Number: 4
The Bucs scored all three of their touchdowns off of the four turnovers. Brees threw three interceptions but one of those bounced off Cook, who lost a fumble earlier in the game.
Player of the Game: Tre’Quan Smith
The Saints wide receiver was a bright spot as he led the team with three receptions for a team-high 85 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard score.
Next Up: The Saints will now turn their attention to the NFL Draft in April.