Bucs Beat Saints And Take The Top Spot In The Division

By Lily Belcher

The Bucs are in a “good spot” following their 26-9 win over the Saints Sunday afternoon ahead of the Bucs’ bye week, according to wide receiver Chris Godwin.

The week four momentum building victory was led by Baker Mayfield, who has settled in with Tampa Bay’s offense. Despite losing Mike Evans to a pulled hamstring in the second quarter, Mayfield connected with Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins.

“It doesn’t really change my role too much. I think, more than anything else, it provides opportunities for the younger guys,” wide receiver Chris Godwin said about Evans’ injury. “They did a phenomenal job of stepping up and making the plays that came their way. But, it’s no surprise for us or anybody else on the team.”

After Evans’ injury, Mayfield threw an interception at the Saint’s 1-yard-line. Stopping the ball just outside the endzone kept New Orleans from getting a touchback that would have moved the Saints to the 25-yard-line. Instead, the Saints fumbled the ball to Antoine Winfield Jr. to turn it over the Bucs inside the 10-yard-line, which Tampa Bay converted for a touchdown.

Winfield opened the game by tackling Saints running back Alvin Kamara to set the defensive tone for the afternoon. He had nine combined tackles on Sunday, including a sack and two tackles for loss, in addition to the forced fumble late in the second quarter.

The win put Tampa Bay at the top of the division and extended their record to 3-1 in the first quarter of the season. The Bucs also snapped the Saints 11 game streak of allowing 20 points or less to opponents. However, Godwin’s focus was on what the Bucs did rather than what the Saints failed to do.

“For us, I think it’s more important that we got the win. It’s a big divisional game, especially coming in here in a hostile environment [and] getting the victory,” he said.

What Tampa Bay did do, with the help of Winfield, was hold New Orleans’ offense away from the endzone, limiting the Saints to just three field goals. The Bucs defense combined for three sacks and four tackles for loss. Mayfield posted 246 passing yards, connecting with Godwin on eight of his 25 completions.

“It’s good for us. Obviously, an early bye, it’s going to be a grind down the stretch for us. But, looking at how we’re at injury wise, it’s coming at a good time,” Mayfield said. “And, just momentum wise, having a good division win against a very physical opponent, this couldn’t have come at a better time for us.”