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The New Orleans Saints aren’t the only ones elated with their 24-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at rainy Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After beating the Los Angeles Rams last week, the Carolina Panthers moved to 7-6 heading into their bye week. The Bucs, 7-5 entering their game against the Saints, had a chance to take a lead in the NFC South division race.
Instead, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, despite his Saints having a 2-10 record entering the game, made things very interesting in the division, as both the Bucs and Panthers are 7-6 heading into Week 15.
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 7, 2025. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
And Shough wasn’t really doing the job with his arm, but rather his legs, as the first touchdown runs of his career were instrumental in the victory.
The biggest one was the fourth quarter after the Bucs lost the game in a 17-17 game. It was a miraculous escape in the pocket of Shough, who everyone in the building and watching at home thought was about to be fired.
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But Shough was able to escape to his left and saw a seam that looked attractive. Shough put on his jets and ducked as he reached the end zone, crossing the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown run that was ultimately the game-winner.
The Saints defense struggled late, forcing a field goal on a promising drive for Tampa Bay. Then, after killing some time, New Orleans punted with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense had a chance at a much-needed comeback for their division hopes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws downfield during a heavy downpour during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 7, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Image Images)
But just four plays later, the Saints beat the Bucs again, as tight end Cade Otton came up short at the line to win on 4th and 4.
New Orleans also got plenty of help in the running game from rookie Devin Neal, who continues to play well in the absence of the injured Alvin Kamara. He scored the first touchdown of the game while rushing for 70 yards on 19 carries. Shough finished with 55 yards rushing, while passing for 144 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
On the other side of the scoreboard, Mayfield was just 14 of 30 for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception, as the weather was clearly affecting his confidence in hitting his guys. Bucky Irving, who had a 24-yard touchdown reception, had 55 rushing yards, although it was Sean Tucker who took one to the end zone on the ground in this game.
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However, this game could have been different if Mayfield had been able to connect with his rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka on the fourth-quarter drive that ended in a field goal for Chase McLaughlin. The ball was perfectly placed and has done so numerous times in his great season so far.
However, what would have been a huge game-tying score for Tampa Bay slipped through his fingers. Egbuka had just two catches for 26 yards, while Chris Godwin led the Bucs with 55 receiving yards on five grabs.
