The Tampa Bay Buccaneers[3-1] defeat the New Orleans Saints[2-2] 26-9. Next week, the Saints travel to play the New England Patriots while the Buccaneers have a bye week.
1st Quarter: On the opening drive, Saints Kicker Blake Grupe makes a 37-yard field goal.
2nd Quarter: Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a 4-yard touchdown to Tight End Cade Otton. Baker Mayfield throws an interception to Cornerback Isaac Yiadom who gives the Saints the ball at their own 1-yard line. Saints Fullback Adam Prentice fumbles the ball and Buccaneers Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. recovers for the Buccaneers at the New Orleans 6-yard line. Baker Mayfield throws a 1-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Trey Palmer. Buccaneers lead at halftime 14-3.
3rd Quarter: Kicker Blake Grupe makes a 32-yard field goal for the Saints.
4th Quarter: Buccaneers Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes a 51-yard field goal. Kicker Blake Grupe makes a 44-yard field goal for the Saints. Baker Mayfield throws a 5-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Deven Thompkins(2-point conversion is unsuccessful). Defensive Tackle Vita Vea forced a strip sack on Derek Carr and the Buccaneers recovered at the Saints 19-yard line. Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes a 28-yard field goal. Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston comes in and throws an interception to Buccaneers Cornerback Dee Delaney and gives the Bucs the ball at their own 46-yard line. Buccaneers win 26-9.
Saints Notes:
Derek Carr: Despite what I have heard, Carr’s performance is not because of pain or discomfort in his shoulder. Carr was checking down nearly the entire game. He needs to not be afraid to throw down the field. It seems as though the Offensive Line’s protection on top of the play designs has factored into a completely different Carr week-to-week. He needs to learn to get rid of the ball and not hold onto it as long. This is not the issue the majority of the time but it still is an issue.
Alvin Kamara: He is still one of the best backs in the league, but is being held back by play designs. He was the captain of check-down passes from Carr with 13 total catches which led all players in the league following the Sunday games. Kamara had 33 receiving yards which is the fewest yards for a player with at least 13 catches in a game ever. He has the potential every week to lead the league in different rushing and receiving categories but other issues are holding him back. I hope to see better usage going forward.
Offensive Line: What happened to these players? At one point the Saints were the only Offensive Line in the Super Bowl era to have every single starter be named to the Pro Bowl or as an All-Pro. Losing Terron Armstead did nothing to the level of play to the line but losing Sean Payton changed something. There is no running room for any runners. There is no time for anyone at Quarterback. There are many penalties being called. Some of these guys were considered elite at their position like Erik McCoy and Ryan Ramczyk. I believe this is a coaching issue and needs to be addressed quickly or else the entire season will be thrown out the window and some of these All-Pro level players will leave this team and the future will be awful.
Pete Carmichael Jr.: I am not gonna say someone should be fired but Carmichael is the issue with this Offense. I am convinced this team could be great with Dennis Allen as Head Coach but they need a competent Offensive Coordinator and Carmichael is not that. There are issues with every single formation, every play call, and every position group. Kamara said it best: “We gotta have some conversations about something because I don’t like losing.” Also, why was Adam Prentice seeing the ball so many times? You have Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Tony Jones Jr. who all can run the ball, have ran the ball, and can catch the ball but Prentice saw the most action with the ball that I have seen. Then he goes and fumbles the ball and drops a pass that would have been a first down. I am a huge advocate for Fullbacks but not like this unless you are Kyle Juszczyk. Something needs to be done soon or the talent of this team could be wasted.
Secondary: This was the worst game from the defense. With Marcus Maye suspended and Paulson Adebo hurt, this secondary was Swiss cheese against Chris Godwin. Mike Evans got hurt so there is no need to discuss his impact at all. I know this defense can be better and I know they will get better once everyone returns.
-Jordan Burden