The New Orleans Saints snapped a four game skid on Sunday Afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the score of 24-17.
After the Saints defense forced a three-and-out, Drew Brees and the rest of the offense marched down the field with a 10-play drive that ended with Brees connecting with Marques Colston to go up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Eating up the clock with long drives became an ongoing theme for the Saints, who went on another 10 play drive that started late in the first quarter and ended early on in the second quarter. That drive ended the same way as their first drive with Colston catching a pass from Drew Brees to put the Saints up 14-0.
The Saints defense that has caused frustration for the fans throughout the year showed up on the next drive giving the Bucs 35 yards in penalties, all of which led to automatic first downs. This led to Doug Martin running it in from 14 yards to put Tampa Bay within one touchdown.
But the Saints put a bit of distance between themselves and the Bucs on the following drive with yet another methodical drive. This one however did not lead to a touchdown, instead the Saints had to settle for a 23-yard Kai Forbath to make it a two-possession game. But the Bucs were able to go down the field and settle for a Connor Barth field goal to make it 17-10 heading into the locker room.
After Tampa Bay missed a field goal, the Saints marched down the field with yet another methodical drive that ended with Tim Hightower having his first touchdown since 2011 from three yards out to make it a two possession game yet again.
The Buccaneers, however made it a one score game with an 80-yard drive that was capped off with a six yard pass from Jameis Winston to Adam Humphries. But the Saints were able to keep it that way after forcing the Bucs to punt late in the fourth and ate up the rest of the clock to hold on to win.
The Saints (5-8) will now head back to the Superdome for a Monday night matchup against the Detroit Lions (4-9) with kickoff set for 7:30 pm.
-Clint Domingue