The New Orleans Saints bounced back from last week’s stunning home loss to the Atlanta Falcons with a 34-17 road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the victory, the Saints improved to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the NFC South.
How It Happened:
New Orleans had to settle early on for three points instead of six as Will Lutz made a pair of field goals (44, 26) to give the Saints a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter. New Orleans though managed to finally get a touchdown with a 16-yard pass from Drew Brees to Michael Thomas right before time expired in the opening quarter.
Brees would completed 28-of-35 passes for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory.
New Orleans would add a 3-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from Brees to tight end Jared Cook to extend the lead to 20-0.
Tampa Bay finally got on the board with 2:42 left in the first half when Peyton Barber caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston.
Tampa Bay started the third quarter with a Matt Gay 55-yard field goal and cut the lead down to 20-10.
New Orleans responded with a 6-yard pass from Brees to Ted Ginn Jr. but Tampa Bay managed to score another touchdown — this one a 30-yard pass from Winston to Chris Godwin. At the end of the third quarter, New Orleans herald a 27-17 lead over Tampa Bay.
The Saints sealed the win with a defensive touchdown in the fourth and final quarter as Marcus Williams returned an interception of Winston 55 yards for a touchdown.
Big Number: 4
The Saints defense intercepted Bucs quarterback Winston four times during Sunday’s road win. Defensive backs Marcus Williams, Von Bell and P.J. Williams all recorded interceptions (Bell’s was the first of his pro career), while linebacker DeMario Davis snagged the other turnover.
Player of the Game: Michael Thomas
The Saints leading wide receiver had another stellar game as he hauled in 8 passes for 114 yards and scored one touchdown in the victory.
Next Up: Sunday at home against Carolina; Kickoff at noon.