Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats – Full Game Recap and Stat Breakdown

Introduction

The NFC South is home to one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries: the tampa bay buccaneers vs new orleans saints match player stats Every time these two teams meet, the game brings thrills, big hits, and game-changing moments. But beyond the touchdowns and highlight plays, it’s the player stats that tell the true story of the action on the field.

This article is your complete, easy-to-understand guide to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting to follow football, we’ll walk you through each stat that mattered — in plain English, with no confusing jargon.

Using a friendly, fun tone and an informative style, we’ll break down top performances, key plays, and what the numbers really mean. From quarterbacks to kickers, we’ve got you covered. Ready to dive into the real story behind the final score? Let’s go.

Why This Bucs vs Saints Matchup Was So Important

Games between the Bucs and Saints are never “just another game.” These teams are not only rivals — they’re also often fighting for the same playoff spots. That makes every yard, every sack, and every score matter even more.

In the latest Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints matchup, both sides brought passion and purpose. The Buccaneers wanted to stay on top of the division. The Saints were looking for a statement win at home. From the opening drive to the final whistle, every moment mattered.

And when you look at the match player stats, you can see how the pressure played out: which stars stepped up, which defenses held ground, and how team strategy shaped performance.

Let’s explore those stats now — and see how this rivalry shaped up this time around.

Quarterbacks in Focus: Baker Mayfield vs Derek Carr

Quarterbacks are the leaders on the field, and this game featured two veterans looking to prove they belong in the playoff picture.

Baker Mayfield, quarterback for the Bucs, had one of his best games of the season. He completed 25 of 32 passes, threw for 283 yards, and had 3 touchdown passes with zero interceptions. His accuracy was sharp, and he made smart choices under pressure.

On the other side, Derek Carr struggled to find a rhythm. He finished with 23 completions on 37 attempts, only gathering 206 yards, and didn’t throw any touchdowns. He was sacked multiple times and faced heavy pressure all day.

When looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats, Baker clearly had the better day, helping his team to control the pace and hold the lead.

Running Backs: Who Powered Through the Defense?

A strong running game is key to keeping the defense honest. And in this matchup, Tampa Bay’s backfield looked more balanced and effective.

Rachaad White led the Buccaneers with 15 carries for 69 rushing yards. He also added 3 catches for 42 yards, showing versatility as a dual-threat player. His runs helped chew the clock and move the chains.

For the Saints, Alvin Kamara was the main workhorse. He had 11 rushes for 51 yards and grabbed 4 receptions for 33 yards. While he showed flashes of his old self, the Bucs defense kept him from breaking off a big gain.

Checking the match player stats shows that Tampa Bay’s efficiency on the ground helped set up their passing game, while the Saints fell a bit short in gaining momentum.

Wide Receivers: Big Plays and Touchdown Grabs

When it comes to explosive plays, few do it better than Mike Evans. In this game, he led all receivers with 5 catches for 123 yards and a highlight-reel 35-yard touchdown. His size, speed, and hands made him unstoppable at times.

Chris Godwin added solid support with 6 catches for 66 yards, often stepping up on third downs when the offense needed it most.

For New Orleans, star receiver Chris Olave was relatively quiet. He finished with only 3 receptions for 48 yards, and struggled to connect with Carr on deep routes. Rashid Shaheed had just 2 catches for 27 yards.

In this battle, the player stats once again favor the Buccaneers — showing that their passing game was more crisp and reliable from start to finish.

Tight End Performance: Reliable Targets in the Middle

Tight ends often don’t lead the game in stats, but their role is still huge — especially in the red zone and short-yardage situations.

Cade Otton came through for the Buccaneers. He finished the game with 4 receptions for 34 yards, and two of those grabs were on crucial third downs. His blocking also helped keep Mayfield upright.

The Saints’ tight end Juwan Johnson posted 2 catches for 22 yards, but wasn’t used often in the passing game. Taysom Hill, who sometimes plays as a tight end or running QB, totaled 6 touches for 38 scrimmage yards, making him one of the few bright spots for New Orleans.

Look deeper into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats, and you’ll notice how Tampa Bay’s tight ends helped extend drives — even without flashy plays.

Defensive Standouts and Key Stats

Defense matters — especially in a rivalry game where one or two plays can swing momentum. Let’s look at which defenders made an impact.

For Tampa Bay, Antoine Winfield Jr. stood out. He had 7 total tackles, snagged 1 interception, and forced a fumble in a clutch red zone moment. Lavonte David added 10 tackles, constantly shutting down interior runs. Shaquil Barrett recorded a sack and pressured Carr consistently.

New Orleans had a few strong moments defensively. Demario Davis chipped in 9 tackles and helped limit Rachaad White’s inside runs. Star pass rusher Cam Jordan had 1 sack, but overall the Saints struggled to get consistent pressure.

Looking at the defensive match player stats, the Buccaneers got more impact plays at key times — helping them secure the win.

Turnovers and Takeaways: Game Changers on the Stat Sheet

Turnovers often decide football games — and this one was no different.

The Buccaneers kept things clean with no turnovers. Mayfield didn’t throw a pick, and ball carriers protected the rock. That gave them a big advantage in field position and time of possession.

The Saints, however, gave the ball away once. Carr’s interception in the second quarter hurt. Tampa Bay quickly scored after the turnover, creating a two-score lead that the Saints struggled to erase.

In close games, one mistake can make all the difference. And according to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats, that one turnover helped Tampa put the game away safely.

Special Teams: Kicks, Punts, and Field Position Battles

It’s not always flashy, but special teams help shape how a game unfolds. Field goals, punts, and return yardage can change everything.

Chase McLaughlin was perfect for the Bucs, hitting all extra points and a crucial 45-yard field goal in the third quarter. His consistency helped stretch the lead.

Jake Camarda, Tampa Bay’s punter, placed two punts inside the 20, limiting the Saints’ field position.

Meanwhile, Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe made 2 field goals, but the offense couldn’t help him out with touchdowns. Their punter, Lou Hedley, had a decent day, but couldn’t flip the field consistently.

Bottom line? Tampa Bay’s special teams were cleaner, more reliable, and won the field position battle based on the player stats.

Penalties, Discipline, and Mental Mistakes

Winning teams stay focused. That means no silly fouls and staying on schedule.

The Bucs had only 3 penalties, losing 25 yards total. None of them erased big plays or extended Saints drives.

The Saints, however, were flagged 8 times for 65 yards. Two were especially costly: a late hit on Baker Mayfield, and a pass interference call that gave Tampa a fresh set of downs.

The match player stats related to penalties might seem small but can add up to big momentum swings. In this case, it helped the Buccaneers stay ahead comfortably.

Team Stat Comparison: Who Controlled the Game Overall?

Let’s create a quick side-by-side comparison of the core team stats:

From total yards to time of possession, Tampa Bay statistically outplayed New Orleans. The extra efficiency on third downs and clean play made a real difference.

What This Game Means for the NFC South

This game had major playoff implications — and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats gave us a glimpse into who’s trending upward.

With this win, the Buccaneers claimed the division lead. Thanks to efficient quarterback play, solid defense, and fewer mistakes, they now control their own fate.

The Saints still have time to rebound, but the offense needs work. Carr must get better protection, and the receiving group has to create more space.

Looking ahead, every game will count. These two teams will battle again — and the stats suggest it’ll be another hard-fought game.

FAQs

1. Who had the best passing stats in the game?
Baker Mayfield topped the list with 283 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a 78% completion rate.

2. Did any player break records in this game?
Yes! Mike Evans made history by reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season.

3. What were the turnover stats for both teams?
The Buccaneers had no turnovers. The Saints had one interception, which led to Bucs points.

4. Who led the teams in total tackles?
Lavonte David recorded 10 total tackles for the Bucs. Demario Davis led the Saints with 9.

5. How did the running backs perform?
Rachaad White had 111 total scrimmage yards. Alvin Kamara posted 84 total yards but no scores.

6. What was the key stat that determined the winner?
Clean football — the Bucs had 0 turnovers, 3 penalties, and controlled time of possession.

Conclusion

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats didn’t just show us who won — they revealed why.

With strong performances from Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and a defense that limited mistakes, the Buccaneers earned a clear victory. The Saints, though talented, came up short where it mattered most — red zone results, protection, and consistent drives.

Stats help tell the full story behind the scoreboard. They spotlight who stepped up, who struggled, and what still needs work. And in this game, the numbers don’t lie: Tampa Bay was the more complete team.

Want to dive deeper next game? Look beyond the highlights. Grab the player stats — and unlock the real story.