Bucs blow by Saints in second half, 27-19

By Ross Jackson

A quick start and a dismal finish for New Orleans on Sunday mirror the 2024 season as a whole.

The Saints dropped their season finale in Tampa, 27-19.

After a fantastic start, things slowed down a bit for the Saints in the third quarter. The Buccaneers were able to drive down the field for a touchdown to narrow the Saints’ lead to 16-13. New Orleans was only able to respond with a field goal despite a big interception from safety Jordan Howden.

A major drop in productivity on offense was met with some undisciplined play on defense as well which turned a 16-6 Saints lead into a 19-20 deficit with just about 10 minutes left in the game.

Several needless penalties assisted the Bucs offense, even when they were walking themselves back with their own infractions. It was a complete second-half collapse for New Orleans yet again. This season will be remembered for its tumultuous nature, but also for the team’s inability to string together four full quarters.

After that, the offensive slump continued in the fourth quarter. New Orleans went from creating four consecutive 10+ play scoring drives in the first half with drives of just three, four, three and five plays for a grand total of eight net yards up until the final drive, which came up short leading to the eight-point loss.

New Orleans’ season ends with a disappointing loss in a game that no one expected them to win, which is not a great way to wrap things up.

An offseason of change is on the way, and the defensive side of the football might see a lot of the action after the way this season has gone.

The Stats

• In the first half, Rattler completed 21 of his 28 passing attempts for 181 passing yards and a touchdown strike. He completed 75% of his passes in the first two quarters.
• Tight end Juwan Johnson has set a career high for single-season receiving yards with 548.
• Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield was 0-46 coming into this game when trailing by 10 or more points. He gets his first such win against New Orleans.
• 10 players caught passes for the Saints in this game. All 10 had catches in the first half.
• New Orleans got its first takeaway since Week 14 at the New York Giants.
• After surrendering just 116 total net yards to the Buccaneers in the first half, the Saints gave up 279 in the second.

The Plays

Another DOT. Ratt to Juwan for 26 yards 🐍🐍🐍

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/5BPDekbYV9

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025

Another DOT. Ratt to Juwan for 26 yards 🐍🐍🐍

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/5BPDekbYV9

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025

Rattler to Dante Pettis. Give us 7

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/rCx6ZDJ5tY

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025

Demario has something to say about that. 💥

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/1E8Z2P7boJ

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025

J HOW PICK. SAINTS BALL

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/oQuZtIiIpH

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 5, 2025

The Injuries:

• Safety Tyrann Mathieu (concussion) left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return.
• Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was off the field for a spell, but eventually returned.
• Tight end Foster Moreau took a hit to what looked like the right lower leg just after the two-minute warning. He did not return.