Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Saints
January 5th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
From a nightmare to sweet dreams, all in 30 minutes.
The Bucs rebounded from a sloppy, uninspired opening half to overwhelm the Saints 21-3 in the final two quarters Sunday, earning a fourth consecutive division title behind another stirring late-season surge.
In the process, Mike Evans ran down history with a consequential 9-yard catch in the final seconds of a 27-19 triumph. It would have been prudent for Baker Mayfield to end the game by taking a knee, but thousands of fans and every member of the organization would have bemoaned the end of a historic 1,000-yard streak by a beloved Buccaneer.
Jason Licht was waiting for Evans outside Tampa Bay’s locker room and their post-game embrace was long and emotional, knowing the Bucs accomplished their twin goals.
Evans said he was determined to “chase history” and now he has crossed the finish line — just in time for a home playoff game.
Just as Evans approaches the final years of a Hall of Fame career, a rookie receiver continues to open eyes across the league. Jalen McMillan’s 32-yard reception early in the fourth quarter put Tampa Bay ahead 20-19 and gave the third-round pick seven TD catches in the past five games.
McMillan also hauled in a 33-yard pass on fourth-and-8 to set up his own score.
Baker Mayfield threw for 221 yards and a pair of TDs, but much of his damage came on scrambles as he ran nine times for 68 yards, including a 28-yard dash on third-and-14 from his own 12 in the final minutes with New Orleans desperate to force a punt.
“Baker’s been our rock all year,” said Evans, who finished with 74 catches for 1,004 yards and 11 scores.
Once again, this team reminded its fan base that it’s foolish to count the Bucs out. A year ago, a 5-1 stretch run overcame a 4-7 start.
The 2024 Bucs approached the bye week at 4-6, with a 4-game losing streak.
No problem.
This time, Tampa Bay won 6-of-7 to overtake the fading Falcons and claim a postseason berth for the fifth consecutive season.
“The guys in this room don’t quit,” said guard Cody Mauch. “We just don’t.”
Spencer Rattler had his way in the opening half, throwing for 181 yards as New Orleans grabbed a 16-6 advantage. Tampa Bay’s defense couldn’t get off the field due to missed tackles, missed assignments and general lethargy.
Everything changed in the final 30 minutes as the Saints were limited to 61 yards, going 0-for-5 on third down.
Helped by Mayfield’s scrambles, the Bucs ran for 179 yards while New Orleans averaged only 3.4 yards on 19 carries. Payne Durham chipped in a 6-yard TD catch and Bucky Irving ran for 89 yards and a score.
How do you measure mental toughness?
The Bucs showed their mettle by outscoring opponents 152-70 in the fourth quarter during the regular season. They’ve proven they know how to dig out of holes and now the Bucs stand on level ground in time for the NFL’s second season.
Here’s how the Bucs overcame a dreadful start Sunday to finish 4-2 in the NFC South, sweeping the Saints and Panthers:
* Buc fans have grown accustomed to Irving breaking off a long run and he obliged with a 25-yard dash against the Saints. The 125th player chosen in the draft, Irving ended his stunning rookie year with 1,514 yards from scrimmage. He shows no signs of hitting the rookie wall and Irving is now perhaps the No. 1 focal point for every defensive coordinator preparing for the Bucs.
* From the stands to the sidelines, the reaction after Evans made his historic catch was electric. Buc fans stood and applauded Licht’s first-ever draft pick while teammates raced onto the field to show their appreciation. Keeping the streak alive for an 11th consecutive season meant a lot to both Evans and Mayfield, putting No. 13 on a pedestal shared only with Jerry Rice — the most prolific wide receiver pro football has ever seen.
* The Bucs overcame 12 penalties and failed to force a turnover against the 5-12 Saints, who held halftime leads in both matchups this season. Tampa Bay outscored New Orleans by a combined margin of 48-3 in the second half and you have to wonder how long it will take for the Saints to be relevant in a weak division.
* Mayfield shook off a dismal first half and willed the Bucs to victory with the season on the line. He finished with 41 TD passes and 4,505 passing yards, proving last year was no fluke. In the broadcast booth at Raymond James Stadium, Tom Brady couldn’t help but marvel at his successor’s competitive fire.
* YaYa Diaby was a force all afternoon with a sack, four tackles for loss and four of Tampa Bay’s six QB hits.
* Zyon McCollum missed a tackle or two, but his four passes defended are evidence he was around the football from start to finish.
* Tampa Bay’s offense has been the driving force behind a 10-win season, but it’s worth noting that Buc opponents averaged only 17 points in the final seven games.
* Liam Coen wanted a diversified attack and his offense met the challenge. Evans led the way as four Buccaneers (Evans, Rachaad White, Irving and McMillan) scored at least eight TDs. Coen’s unit reached the end zone 57 times and converted third downs at a 51 percent clip. Those are heady numbers, especially considering Chris Godwin missed the final 10 games.
* Sorry to break it to the Bowles haters, but he’s not going anywhere. In fact, the Glazers may be thinking about a contract extension.
* For the second time in three weeks, the Buc defense was a step behind in the opening half. Cooper Rush and Rattler had too much time and receivers had too much space. That’s not a recipe for postseason success.
BONUS TAKE
* Going forward, the Bucs still look like the team to beat in the NFC South. The Falcons folded after opening a 3-game lead on Tampa Bay, the Saints need a quarterback and the Panthers are desperate for more playmakers. What makes the difference? Productive draft classes.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Agree on everything Sage, specially on the Bowles haters…..they need to apologize!
January 5th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
Looks like we are going to play the Redskins! We will be the number three seed.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
we got washington !
i like it…
we got the rookie
January 5th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
That’s it. #3 seed.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Commanders whew we come
January 5th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Well, there is no way they can fire Bowles without the team falling in some ignominious defeat in the first round of the playoffs and even then it would be difficult. If they did I doubt that Liam Coen would want to coach for a team that stabbed their coach in the back after 4 NFC South championships anyway. I wouldn’t. And it would be totally against the culture they are trying to build.
There are certainly some things that need to change. I personally think Bowles needs a defensive play caller/coordinator. He needs a fresh set of eyes and hands so he can focus on things that we are clearly not good at – Clock management springs to mind. Timeouts, challenges and other strategic things that we have been weak on under his tenure would certainly benefit from Bowles not being tied up with tactical issues on the Defensive side of the ball.
There are other things too. We are not good at drafting edge rushers. We are coming up on needing to put someone behind/ next to Lavonte David. That clock is ticking and it won’t be easy fill those shoes. We probably won’t be able to and that is going to be a problem.
Anyway, that’s all for later. Go Bucs!
January 5th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
hopefully green bay beats philly…
future casting, i don’t want philly in the cold…they’re also due for a win against us…
and going back to detroit would be super tough…i can’t see us beating them in their building twice in a season…
anyone else has to come see us…welcome to the terror dome…oops i mean ray jay 🙂
January 5th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
The ONLY thang that would’ve made Mike’s record tying catch better?
If that turd Lattimore was on the field to feel it
January 5th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
The players clearly love Bowles. No doubt about that. However, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you really believe Bowels can lead this team, or any team, to a Super Bowl victory. Nothing else matters. Nobody in history remembers the Bucs won the division 4 straight times. But everyone remembers the Bills lost the Super Bowl 4 straight times. Bowels is a horrific in game coach and screwed up in the 1st half today with a really stupid timeout.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Let’s go through the Redskins again! Awesome game and day! Falcons losing is the cherry on top of several cherries.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Kings, Kings of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, Gone with the wind
Ain’t nobody looking back again
January 5th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
No Monday Night Football games please
January 5th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Contract extension for Bowles..man, if that happens, the Bucs brass must be knowing or seeing something we’re not. I’m actually one of the few fans that’s ok with Bowles, because contextually, his defense is very beat up. He’s got 1 starter left in secondary, and 1 good ILB in old man David. Doesn’t help that our 4-man pass rush just can’t get enough pressure, and we still only gave up 3 pts in the second half? Terrible tackling in the first half. Look, Bowles’ defense gets reloaded next season, he’s got next season to turn this soft def around, if not, it’s time to go in another direction. No more 4-game losing streaks, no more allowing average QBs to set records against our secondary. Also, besides the defensive reload, we need to get better on Special Teams. I’ve really underestimated how important special teams are, and having a punter with enough power and touch to flip a field is so crucial.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
I was hoping Detroit was coming here..
Who’s covering J. Daniels?
January 5th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
We need to trade for Hendrickson in Cincinnati. He requested a trade last season because he wanted a contract extension. The Bengals have to resign Chase and possibly Higgins. If they choose to keep Higgins, someone has to go. A legit pass rusher and LB and DB help in the draft and we’re rolling next year.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Hope we get some guys back healthy for the first round!
Go Bucs!!
January 5th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
I’m proud of our 10-7 finish. Regarding the playoffs, the injured players are a lot of the strength of our team. Most won’t be back. So, I don’t care if Bucs get beat as long as they show up, AND MAKE THE OTHER TEAM EARN IT! Go Bucs!!
January 5th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
The muncher of Rods and Trask to the Stupid still aren’t impressed with Baker.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
Todd Bowles has a better win percentage with the Bucs than Jon Gruden. If he has another 10-7 season he should surpass Tony Dungy’s win percentage as a head coach.
Can you imagine Todd Bowles name in the Ring of Honor one day? I mean why not? He already has a Super Bowl win with the Bucs as D-Coordinator.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
I love how so many people are praising Bowles, but he always seems to get brutalized in the confidence polls. Every team gets decimated by injuries every year but Bowles appears to get a pass for terrible losses because some of his players are out. If they’re going to keep him, they need to find a way to keep Coen and force him to hire a DC.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
@Jmarkbuc:
the duck………………the duck is covering him
January 5th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
I will confess to PTSD from the Rams playoff game when it comes to cover zero. The Bucs showed it multiple times down the stretch, but backed out of it only rushing four, but three from the same side. It was effective.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Fire Bowles
January 5th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Todd’s concept of defense: Gift them endless 7-8 yard completions until they get in the red zone, where those plays can’t work anymore, eventually leaving them with 3 points for their efforts. He seems to have done the math here, as it pertains to his personnel. Saints didn’t even gain 300 yards
January 5th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
Let’s look back to August…All those big mouth experts had Atlanta winning division and Bucs with a losing record…. what do they say now? Nothing, it is like they never said anything. Sorta disappear when Bucs (and Baker) do good, just like TraskToTheFuture disappears.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
His defense couldnt force 1 Spencer Rattler turnover and commited 12 penalties at home in a must win game. Yes please extend Bowles Asap!
January 5th, 2025 at 8:21 pm
bowles faces a team like mcvay few years ago or cowboys couple years ago you cant wait till half time to make adjustments on the good teams . you can get away with it on saints, actually cowboys this season couldnt get away with it. he has to be better prepared going into games. if defense gives up a big lead in firsr half and thats why they lose than bowles should be on the hot seat
January 5th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
“ Sorry to break it to the Bowles haters, but he’s not going anywhere. In fact, the Glazers may be thinking about a contract extension.”
This makes me sick to my stomach reading this. If the Glazers give him an extension, they are stupid.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
That’s right OxyCondomns.
Over on pewter report they are writing about how the Glazers need to see improvement for Bowles to keep his job. 10-7 is improvement. Losing in the wild card or divisional round is not. I have stated the case here clearly on multiple articles and people just don’t get it. For every well schemed 60 minute game he has 2 where the D is out to lunch and team starts slow. That doesn’t happen to defensive guru HCs.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Agreed Bucsfan951. I’ve watched almost every Bucs game the last 25 years. I think people are so scarred by the lost decade that they are happy to be playoff bound a bunch and won’t ask for more.
I’m asking for more. He’s got another chance this year to show it. Lose to the Commanders at home and why would you wanna keep him? Cause he will have better players next year? Less injuries? If that was the only problem, I wouldn’t be yapping about this so much.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
I wonder if Tampa Bay has gotten as much attention in their 50 year existence as they are getting right now? That’s including the Brady years. This week all the national media won’t be able to stop talking about our Buccaneers. About Bucky and Mike, Baker and our OLine, Licht and Bowles, LaVonte and this no name defense. This team deserves all that and more. Tom Brady is the GOAT. But he’s not the reason the Bucs won. The organization is the reason why they won and the players they had in place. Now we’re getting credit for continuing success as a franchise and not because the Goat gifted us his presence. I got tired of Brady on today’s telecast saying how we couldn’t afford to make this or that mistake in a game like this. We’re darn good and we have been for the last two seasons. And we haven’t needed Brady in the least.
January 5th, 2025 at 9:20 pm
If I’m a free agent or anyone negotiating to play for tge bucs, I have to love the team risking it all to get Evans his yards and 3 million dollars. If yiu fi d so eine who does that for their people, you do all you can for them.
Unlike culverhouse that wouldn’t pay doug Williams. That one still stikngs.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Great comeback win! Hats off to ME13, BI7, BM6, and JM15 for a great season! Now the fun begins!!
January 5th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Anyone watching Lions Vikings? Dan Campbell’s defense is more decimated than the Bucs. He’s out there playing pressure man from the jump with bartenders and waitresses at key positions. Our guy could learn a thing or two from
watching this game.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
A fan site will always have differences of opinion. That’s good and it’s healthy. I have become a big Todd Bowles fan He reminds me of Chuck Noll who won 4 Super Bowles. There is an old saying, ” You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken s–t.” Do any of you pay attention. Do you know who who was playing in the Buccaneers secondary– a róokie, an undrafted free agent, a sixth round draft choice, and a fourth round draft choice. The Saints knew this and their coaching staff followed the Dallas Cowboys script: control the clock, pass short, get turnovers. It damn near worked. But just like last week, Bowles made a couple half time tweaks, and the secondary took their heads out of their asses. As for Coen, he is impressive but he has a terrible game plan today. The Saints can’t stop the run and he comes out throwing. Bad! Thank goodness for Baker. What most casual fans you don’t know is how important a locker room is. Buccaneers have one of the very best in the league. That is all Todd Bowles!
January 5th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
SaskBucs
“For every well schemed 60 minute game he has 2 where the D is out to lunch”
That means the Bucs should succeed on 1 of 3 games and lose the other two!
That means a record of 7 wins at most begin generous with the math.
But I get it. You believe the other three wins were simply LUCK, or perhaps Coen’s genius play calling today?
And yet for three consecutive seasons Todd has exceeded your 1 of 3 and produced winnng seasons and playoffs. Again…OPINION versus RESULTS.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:22 pm
Kenton
Agree with you completely and I think the St. Tommy could do no wrong wore out quickly after the SB win and by year 3 it was evident several things were true at the same time. Brady was the GOAT/PRIMA DONNA/OVER THE HILL. He was playing in fear his final season. Blame it on the OL or perhaps the change in the game that has all but eliminated statues with aweome arms at QB.
Meanwhile while Baker will never be the GOAT and unlike Mahomes never even be in a conversation to challenge him, he IS playing better than Brady his final year here. There is NO way the Bucs win today with Brady at QB. He would have spent far too much time in the fetal position against N.O’s serious pass rush and he clearly has NEVER done what Baker did on the play where he didn’t slide, he grasped the ball with both arms wrapped, lowered his head and blasted into two defenders like an RB. That kind of play inspires EVERYBODY!!!
January 5th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
I’m not apologizing.
Bowles is still “meh” at best.
January 5th, 2025 at 11:28 pm
Jethro Tull (Dave Pear?) I have a feeling our team is gonna be up there in Detroit in 3 weeks and we’ll be able to see his press defense up close and personal.
January 6th, 2025 at 4:32 am
Well said, Ira.
Exhilarating win along with Mike’s record.
January 6th, 2025 at 7:03 am
“”” Sorry to break it to the Bowles haters, but he’s not going anywhere. In fact, the Glazers may be thinking about a contract extension.
* For the second time in three weeks, the Buc defense was a step behind in the opening half. Cooper Rush and Rattler had too much time and receivers had too much space. That’s not a recipe for postseason success.”””
Point/ Counterpoint. LOL.
January 6th, 2025 at 8:16 am
Enjoyed the conversation between Ira Kaufman and Jody Mac last night on the Jody Mac show! Entertaining and informative and nobody covers the Bucs as well as The Sage!
January 6th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Anyone see Shaq play? He had 1 tackle
January 7th, 2025 at 12:42 am
Geat stuff as always Ira!
I only wish we did not have to rely on Baker risking his neck to save us from defeat. I could almost predict the plays he was gonna pull it down and take off. History tells me that QBs who do that do not last too long in the NFL. See Cam Newton…. There are many others.
While I do appreciate what he has done for us in order to win. I question if it is sustainable.
Go Bucs!