Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Saints
October 13th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
They lost their lead, not their poise.
Overcoming a nightmarish second quarter, the Bucs displayed their skills and their mettle in a 51-27 victory at New Orleans. Tampa Bay began the game with a 17-0 burst and closed with a 27-0 assault to open the season at a gaudy 4-2.
Led by a killer ground game and four TD passes by Baker Mayfield, the Bucs set a franchise record with 594 yards of offense. The only time a Buc team scored more points came in 2019, when Jameis Winston threw for 385 yards and four scores in a 55-40 road win against the Rams.
An offensive line missing rookie center Graham Barton gave Mayfield ample time and opened huge holes for Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving, who spearheaded a 277-yard rushing effort. Mike Evans, far from 100 percent, was no factor but Chris Godwin continued his prolific season with 11 catches for 125 yards and two TDs.
Virtually everything Liam Coen dialed up worked in the Big Easy as Tampa Bay averaged 8.3 yards per snap, overcoming 12 penalties.
The Bucs were 6-for-10 on third down and 4-for-5 in the red zone as a raucous Saints crowd was left stunned by Tampa Bay’s firepower.
The Buc offense was relentless, except for a second quarter that was marred by three Mayfield interceptions, seven penalties and a 54-yard punt return by Rashid Shaheed.
Buc fans were wondering how the visitors would respond after the Saints scored 27 points in the quarter to take a halftime advantage. The response was overwhelming — on both sides of the ball.
The young Bucs running backs overpowered the Saints all game.
While Tampa Bay was running for 220 yards in the final two quarters, Todd Bowles ramped up the aggression on defense. The first six second-half possessions by New Orleans ended with four punts and two interceptions of rookie Spencer Rattler, who eventually succumbed to a dynamic pass rush that featured five sacks and 10 QB hits.
The Bucs now look both healthy and dangerous heading into a Week 7 Monday night matchup against the streaking Ravens at Raymond James Stadium. Baltimore has reeled off four consecutive wins after an 0-2 start, but the Bucs are now averaging 30 points per game — just about the same output Tom Brady’s offense achieved in his first two years under center in Tampa.
The Bucs kept their focus on football, no small feat considering the ravaging effects of Hurricane Milton in the Tampa Bay community.
They boarded a flight back home with the knowledge this group overcame a host of potential distractions since departing Tampa five days before Sunday’s matchup.
Here’s how the Bucs used a second-half blitz to hand the Saints a fourth consecutive setback:
* With Rachaad White sidelined, Tucker and Irving were sensational. Tucker was a revelation with 136 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards. He had a 36-yard run and a 36-yard reception while scoring twice. Irving added 105 yards from scrimmage, including a 31-yard dash, as the Bucs averaged 7.9 yards on 35 rushing attempts. Coen couldn’t have asked for more from two hungry young backs.
Rookie Tykee Smith has proven he’s dangerous, writes Ira Kaufman.
* Speaking of youth, rookie defensive back Tykee Smith was all over the field with five tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and two passes defended. He has gained the confidence of Bowles as a pesky blitzer who rattled Rattler on several occasions.
* When the Saints needed a spark early in the second quarter, Shaheed made the Bucs look silly with his long punt return for a score. Jake Camarda’s punt was lousy — and the coverage was worse. The Bucs continue to suffer in the punt game. It should be a point of emphasis this week.
* Godwin enhanced his reputation for moving the chains by grabbing 11 of the 13 passes Mayfield sent his way. His consistency as a dependable target will make it difficult for Jason Licht to allow Godwin to hit free agency in March. Godwin’s YAC numbers are off the charts and you can bet Mayfield can’t stomach the thought of No. 14 playing for someone else in 2025.
* Mayfield put up big numbers, but his second quarter was horrific. He tossed all three of his picks in that span, making one poor decision after another while throwing into tight coverage. It was a rare lapse for Mayfield, whose ball security had been outstanding. Another one of his passes should have been intercepted, so Mayfield and his targets need to be more in sync.
* The Bucs rode the big play to victory, reeling off 10 snaps that gained 21 yards or more. With Alvin Kamara (40 rushing yards) fully contained, the Saints gained at least 20 yards on only three snaps.
* It didn’t take Antoine Winfield Jr. long to reclaim his status as a dynamic playmaker with a 58-yard fumble return that put Tampa Bay ahead 14-0 less than seven minutes into the game. We were reminded once again: this guy’s special.
* Five game balls could have justifiably gone to an offensive front that owned the line of scrimmage. They were outstanding early and even better late in the game, when they wore New Orleans defenders down with physicality and determination.
* Veteran WR Sterling Shepard made some plays, but he also appeared undisciplined on several snaps that helped fuel a second-quarter comeback by the Saints. Calm down, Shep.
* The Bucs needed a decisive victory to erase the sting of that bitter setback at Atlanta. For anyone still doubting the resilience of this club, let’s note that Tampa Bay is 10-4 since last year’s midseason slump that raised a lot of questions about Bowles’ future. The Bucs could have folded on Sunday after yielding 27 points in the second quarter. Instead, they gave the Ravens a lot to think about heading into an intriguing prime-time matchup between 4-2 teams.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:34 pm
Damn, IF they had just pulled out that victory in Atlanta, we’d be sitting pretty right ow atop the NFC…oh well, gotta string together wins against quality teams to be the best. Come on Bucs, put together another stellar performance next week in front of the home town crowd against a tough opponent!
LFG!!
October 13th, 2024 at 8:40 pm
The players and their families will come home to a community that appreciates what they did.
Good perspectives about the game, Sage.
Go Bucs!
October 13th, 2024 at 8:42 pm
Should’ve brought up 2 of the pics were tipped passes, which means not necessarily terrible throws, one of them bounced off mcmillins hands and chest and the other was tipped at the line, but the other on was perfect defense by the saints, disguised their coverage perfectly. All in all not to god awful. Those picks were also after back to back penalties that set the Bucs way behind the sticks which lead to obvious throwing situations, gotta improve for Monday night
October 13th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Sterling Shepherd is the player that Tampa hoped Russell Gage was going to be.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Yes, it was a “wild” game! The shot that Mayfield took at the end of the third quarter from Granderson was brutal. Impressive that he came back from that! The Aints imploded in the second half with dropped passes, missed tackles, dumb penalties, and no adjustments. I was so happy for Tucker, and I hope that this means more playing time. We are starving for a dominant back who can close out games. Bucky Irving had a good game, too, and I hope that he got his confidence back after that key fumble last week. Tykee Smith and Chris Godwin also had great individual performances! I was very happy for Cade Otten with his first TD of the year. It was great to see Goedeke in there after a long absence. Go Bucs!
October 13th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
I was very impressed with Sterling Sheppard today….he definitely has some left in the tank. Looked like he did with the Giants.
Those two penalties he had were complete BS calls….the first one was a normal block and the 2d was initiated by a Saints player.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Anytime the Bucs beat the Saints it’s a great day! The Bucs came to play. And despite that 2nd qt. lapse where they proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly, they played a good game. BI7 and ST44 played lights out! The coaches and players made some halftime adjustments that worked well! Thank you Bucs!!
October 13th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Great opening line. What a difference a running game makes.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
I was hoping Shepherd wouldnt just be one of those “has been” guys collecting a final check with the Bucs aka Shady McCoy, Richard Sherman, Leveon Bell.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Camarda’s punt wasn’t the problem. 47 yards in the air, between the hash and sideline is fine, just not spectacular. The problem was that no one covered that side of the field.
October 13th, 2024 at 9:02 pm
That Fox team in NO absolutely sucks. They went to two 3 minute commercial breaks when the Bucs had the ball both leading to tds even missing the td that put them up 44-27, hope they’re fined heavily because that mess was done on purpose
October 13th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
1. Get ready for a lot of talk about the end of R. White. Tucker should be RB1.
2. Every OL should wear the double helmet
3. Godwin is a beast.
4. AWJ and CK were a very welcome addition
5. Zyon may be the best DB in the NFL
October 13th, 2024 at 9:11 pm
The ‘Aints tried to bully us today. Ha!
October 13th, 2024 at 9:24 pm
Wirfs had more receiving yards than McMillan today. Step it up rook.
October 13th, 2024 at 9:24 pm
SlyPirate, I agree with you that the Rachaad White talk is going to heat up this week, but it’s valid. We’ve seen what White can do, and it’s not good enough for that position. He’s an important situational player, but he shouldn’t get the majority of the snaps moving forward.
October 13th, 2024 at 9:26 pm
We’ve got a lot to clean up. But son of a gun we have sure got alot of upside! We’ll lose a few games. But not many!
October 13th, 2024 at 9:29 pm
The best part was Bowles actually let them go full throttle and not take the foot of the gas. Any other time Bowles would have been trying to just run the clock out. Watching Tucker get that run to drop 50 on the Saints who let’s be honest all Bucs fans hate the saints especially when they would do their little dances in the locker room after beating us in past years. This one is extra special.
October 13th, 2024 at 9:40 pm
Yeah the run game was outstanding and some specific rookies, stood out–Tykee Smith is only going to get better. He reminds me of Lavonte David with the peanut punch out. We had bad field position for a long stretch too. Impressed the Bucs did not crater after so many penalties and Int’s. Did I mention the run game? wow!
October 13th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Offensive line were definitely offensive MVPs!
Are we really “gelling” in that department and could we be forming a sustainable “identity” ? Hainsey stepped in and held up!
Zyon and Tykee’s play was very promising, Pass rush looked improved!
October 13th, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Was great seeing all the empty seats at the end
October 13th, 2024 at 10:05 pm
I was excited when the Bucs signed Sean Tucker last season and was confident he could perform at a very high level as he demonstrated this afternoon.
I hope we get to see a LOT more of him in the coming weeks.
October 13th, 2024 at 10:10 pm
JMac looks like Kenny Bell II, except I don’t remember Bell cuffing a pass in his chest to a defender and giving the opponent an interception.
October 13th, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Dennis Allen is one of the few head coaches who is worse than the Todd.
October 13th, 2024 at 11:07 pm
White experience is over.
Should be all buck n tuck. Don’t want to see white run up the middle no more for 3 yards
October 14th, 2024 at 12:49 am
Yeah I gotta quibble with your “bad decision after bad decision” description of Mayfield.
INT #1 – terrible section by Mayfield indeed.
INT #2 – the pass went through J-Mac’s hands bounced off his chest and into a defenders hands. How is that on Mayfield? Rookie needs to catch.
INT #3 – tipped at the line and pops up and into hands of Jordan. is that really on Mayfield? Maybe, maybe not.
And while he did get rattled for a bit after that, he bounced back. Entire team was out of sync that 2nd quarter (plus end of 1st).
October 14th, 2024 at 5:58 am
Had the pleasure of watching from section 307 and the club seat crowd went from cackling and patronizing with their fake southern charm to stunned, drunk silence
It was absolutely the most satisfying feeling waving goodbye as they flooded out with 7 minutes left in the game
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 14th, 2024 at 6:42 am
You know and I know that next week Rachaad White will be getting the majority of the snaps in the backfield and will continue to get 2.1 yrds per carry bringing down this offense.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:07 am
Glad you called out Shepard. After his second penalty, or was it his third, I was screaming at the TV. GET HIM OFF THE FIELD! And then he would make an outstanding play. Got to get the guy calmed down a bit, because clearly, he can play ball. McMillan was responsible for one of Mayfield’s interceptions. With Shepard’s recent sterling play (pun intended), McMillan has become an afterthought.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:19 am
The Bucs wasted a roster spot on Ko Keift for his supposed special teams ability. On that punt return he looked like a statue out there. You need speed on S.T.s, not a guy who runs the 40 in 40 minutes. I don’t see the value keeping him on the roster. Time to cut bait, and try to add better talent to the 46 who can dress on game day.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Shepherd needs to get more disciplined and I don’t think much of him as a blocker. One of his personal fouls did seem seem unreasonable since the replayed just showed him jaw jacking with a couple of Saints players. Still, why even bother, just get back to work.
October 14th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
oh man ira….that was a great read…
no wonder you’re the king of new port richey…!
October 14th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
Again, why blame Baker for 2 of those 3 picks? I’ve always counted on this particular site to tell the whole story. Ugh!