The Buccaneers defense was up to the task against the Saints on Sunday afternoon. (Getty)
Final Score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-7-13-3 — 26
New Orleans Saints 0-7-0-12 — 19
Buccaneers Hang on For Win in New Orleans
Jameis Winston led the Buccaneers to a win on the road in New Orleans. It was Winston’s first career victory. (Getty)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 26-19 on Sunday afternoon at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
In a sloppy, at times ugly, contest, Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense did just enough to outlast Drew Brees and the Saints to give Winston his first career win.
The two teams combined for five turnovers, but the Bucs were the more advantageous team, turning all three of the Saints’ turnovers into field goal makes. What could have been a crucial fourth-quarter fumble by Jameis Winston ended in a missed 42-yard field goal by the Saints.
Winston was 14-21 for 207 yards and one touchdown passing to go along with a rushing touchdown in his first victory. The Buccaneers evened their record at 1-1.
The Bucs’ defense kept Brees at bay all game long, before a frantic fourth quarter comeback by the Saints fell just short.
Brees was 24-38 for 255 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss for New Orleans. He also moved past Dan Marino for third all-time in career completions, connecting on the 4,968th of his career.
The Saints fell to 0-2 with the loss.
Ingram Fumble Gives Bucs Possession Late
Mark Ingram fumbled after catching a pass from Drew Brees to give the ball to Tampa Bay late in the game. Tampa Bay will try to control the pace and give Jameis Winston his first career win.
Snead Touchdown Cuts Bucs’ Lead to One Possession
Willie Snead hauled in a 16-yard Drew Brees touchdown pass, but a missed extra point leaves the Saints trailing the Bucs midway through the fourth quarter, 23-19.
Saints Can’t Capitalize on Bucs Turnover
Hau’oli Kikaha fumbled for Tampa Bay, but New Orleans couldn’t convert as Zach Hocker missed a 42-yard field goal wide left.
Saints Open Fourth Quarter With Touchdown
Austin Johnson scored on a 1-yard run. (Getty)
Fullback Austin Johnson rushed for 1-yard score to get New Orleans back in the game early in the fourth.
The Saints attempted a two-point conversion but Willie Snead fell a yard shy of the goal line.
The score cut the Bucs’ lead to 23-13.
Buccaneers Score Again, Capitalizing Off of Saints Turnovers
Kyle Brindza hit his third field goal of the day to give Tampa Bay a 23-7 lead. The last two Saints possessions have been turnovers. Willie Snead’s costly fumble at the 40 yard line led to yet another score by Tampa Bay.
Brindza’s Second Field Goal Gives Bucs Breathing Room
Kyle Brindza’s second field goal of the game gave the Bucs a two-score lead. (Getty)
Kyle Brindza’s 35-yard field goal gave Tampa Bay a 20-7 lead over New Orleans at the Superdome. The Buccaneers defense continues to be strong, while Jameis Winston looks to have settled in leading the Tampa Bay offense to a two-score lead over the favored Saints.
A Drew Brees interception led to the Tampa Bay points.
Winston Scrambles for 1-Yard Score
Jameis Winston ran for a touchdown to give the Buccaneers a 17-7 lead on the road early in the third quarter at the Superdome.
Bucs End First Half on High Note
Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers offense struggled through much of the first half, but shortly before the break Winston connected with a picture perfect 15-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson.
The Tampa Bay defense has been strong throughout, limiting New Orleans to just 118 first-half yards.
Winston is 8-12 for 98 yards passing, while Drew Brees is 10-14 for 125 yards. Mark Ingram scored the lone touchdown for the Saints on an 11-yard run.
Winston and Jackson Connect for Score
Jameis Winston threw a 15-yard strike to veteran wide receiver Vincent Jackson just before halftime to give the Bucs a 10-7 lead.
Ingram Gets Saints on the Board
Mark Ingram’s 11-yard touchdown run gave the Saints a 7-3 lead with a little over a minute left in the first half. A frustrating afternoon for the Saints so far could see them going into the break with a lead after scoring just once.
After one, Bucs Defense Stout Against Run
The Bucs defense has been frustrating the Saints. (Getty)
The Buccaneers run defense came out firing on all cylinders. The Bucs haven’t given up much to Saints quarterback Drew Brees either as the Saints only have 52 total yards.
Rookie Brindza Comes Through to Give Bucs Lead
Kyle Brindza’s 55-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter gave the Buccaneers a 3-0 lead. It was Brindza’s first career field goal.
Brees passes Marino on completions list
Drew Brees passed Dan Marino for third place the all-time for NFL completions with a 21-yard pass to Brandin Cooke.
Brees, Saints Stall on Opening Drive
After overcoming a third-and-long, the Saints opening drive resulted in a punt. It’s still scoreless in New Orleans as Jameis Winston completed a 21-yard pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins on the Buccaneers first drive but the Bucs also ended up punting it away.
Evans is active
Bucs wideout Mike Evans is active for Sunday’s game against the Saints in New Orleans.
Tampa Bay wide receiver (hamstring) is active for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Game Preview
Quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints will be looking for their first win in Week 2 (Getty)
This Sunday’s tilt between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints is as pivotal as a Week 2 game can possibly be for the NFC South.
The two teams dropped their first contest of 2015 in underwhelming fashion. Tampa Bay got blown out at home by the Titans and their rookie quarterback, while the Saints settled for four field goals and touchdown in a 31-19 loss to the Cardinals on the road.
The loser of this game drops to 0-2 in a division that features the potentially strong Falcons and Panthers tied atop at 1-0. The winner likely would consider themselves in the mix to content with Atlanta and Carolina.
Watch for Jameis Winston to be a bit less conservative and try to make some more plays against the weak Saints defense. By the same token, expect Drew Brees and the Saints to be determined to move the ball against an inferior Bucs defense.
This one could end up being a shootout in the Superdome.
