Buccaneers 23, Saints 3
October 26th, 2025
Suffocating defense ruled the day and Tampa Bay got the job done with relative ease for a division game.
The Bucs are 6-2! They’ve officially avoided the Todd Bowles midseason meltdown and now rule the NFC South by two games entering the bye week.
What a glorious Sunday it is!
The banged up Bucs didn’t need style points today. They just needed to escape New Orleans with a “W” and get to their bye on a high note with the best record in the NFC.
Mission accomplished.
The Bucs did it on the backs of their defense. Anthony Nelson was a monster. Antoine Winfield showed flashes of his 2023 All-Pro self. Jamel Dean had a huge strip. Lavonte David led the team in tackles. Jacob Parrish and SirVocea Dennis made impact plays.
The Bucs’ offense? The run game was poor. The goal line run game was historically ugly. And Baker Mayfield wasn’t sharp for the second consecutive week.
Chase McLaughlin drilling three 50-plus-yard field goals gave the Bucs a healthy cushion and made the offense seem better than it was.
Joe would have been very pleased if the Bucs landed at the bye with a 5-3 record — 6-2 is something special.
The exciting part is the Bucs have much more room to improve.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
game should have been 30-0
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Defense stepped up especially Nelly. Offense needs to get healthy and going again. 6-2 is big though.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Today’s offense is what you get when you mindlessly repeat you must run the ball to meet a quota.
Be creative in the run game, don’t be ultra predictable. It’s OK to run, but don’t just run to run.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
whoa nelly
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
2 game balls should be given, Nelson, and Winfled.. who got robbed of 2 TDs
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Defense has been playing championship ball 4games in a row now
Offense needs to get healthy and grizz needs to scout himself
GO BUCS
October 26th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Defense was huge. Nelson, Winfield, Tykee, Dean, Vea all making plays.
Offense has been stuck in the mud. Mayfield missed 1 or 2 but was better today. EE clearly not 100% and now White is injured too.
Tristan Wirfs maybe his worst game ever?
Bye is coming at a perfect time. Hopefully we get Bucky and some o-linemen back.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Bucs Anthem got the comments shut off. Fire Grizz derp
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
What happened to “All Game Long?” lol
Mhystc Says
“Braswell is worse than JTS, no one can change my mind.”
But he’s not worse than Riddick!
Seriously though…his first game starting. You can’t expect him to be great.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Can we hire the Tampa Catholic or Plant City OC over the bye week?
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
You missed Anthony “better than Haason Reddick” Nelson…
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
saints kinda looked checked out and ready for arch manning
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Idk if i’ve ever enjoyed a win less than this one.
2 weeks in a row our offense was terrible. Baker was terrible. Running game and passing game were terrible.
Defense was great today, though.
Baker needs to snap out of it. Something looks wrong with him.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Perfect game ,,, now take a week off ,,, go have some fun
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
This game is about as exciting as next week’s game….but we have the win and and anytime we can call scoreboard on the Slimy Saints, makes it a wonderful day!!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Nelson gets the Bucs game ball.
The refs get the Mafia’s game ball.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Oh and Winfield was robbed of 2 TDs today.
Officiating was somehow even worse than Detroit. 2 weeks in a row that’s it’s untenable. Even non Bucs fans agree.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
We need that bye like I need to lose 50lbs
October 26th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Also, Braswell is terrible.. he’s worse than JTS.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
I hope Parrish is not hurt I noticed that he did not play that last series and then Zyon McCollum was in at nickel corner. Hoping maybe it’s nothing and that we had a big enough lead that even if it was something minor they just figured he can be rested out.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
These refs are so bad this year.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Good grief this offense is alarmingly bad at the moment. From play calling to execution, yikes!
I never thought I would say it this season, but Todd’s defense is keeping this team relevant!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
6-2 at the bye. We’ve managed to avoid back to back losses so far. Hopefully we can get healthy on offense and come out of the bye firing on all cylinders. Grizz needs to do some self scouting.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Defense is starting to become elite!!!!!!!
GO BUCS
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Much respect to Head Coach Todd Bowles. With this many starters sidelined, rallying the squad week after week takes serious leadership—he’s kept these guys fighting through every setback.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Bowles is a heck of a football coach. That came through loud and clear.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Pretty much shutting up waterlung. Today was again going to be the start of the losing streak.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
Gj guys!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
yep……bras is not so well
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
Nelly should get defensive player of the week for his performance today…
Nobody will come close to those stats.
2 sacks
Separate forced fumble on another play
interception for a TD
GAME/SET/MATCH -> ANTHONY NELSON
AND AS ALWAYS -> FUK THE REFS!!!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
Also, Grizzard is a terrible OC/playcaller at this point in time.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
They got it done, that’s all that really matters.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
6-2!!!
Now let’s rest and get Luke, Bucky, Godwin and maybe some others back. From there, we roll!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Was great to see Nelson and Winfield contribute in a big way today. Builds up some confidence with the defense even though it was against the crappy Saints.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
yeah, glorious. How about the FBI investigate the refs. Winfield had two TDs taken away and Otton 1. Refs suck even worse tha last week.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Maybe get a flag football guy in here?
Didn’t see the Bucs defense turning into a strength while the offense just fell off the face of the earth.
Baker has to be hurt. He looks like Bruce Gradkowski on a bender.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Hey Wiz Kid, give me a call on the bye and I’ll give you some tips on how to use Coen’s playbook properly. There’s nothing that says you need to be ultra predictable and only use a single sheet of the playbook.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
And the bye to help Baker get healthy
October 26th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Braswell finally did something!
A penalty lol
October 26th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Not a pristine game, but they got it done.
Joe, please send the Sheriff’s to make a wellness call on BucsAnthem. I think there is something seriously wrong with him.
October 26th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
U R what your
record says U R
🙂
October 26th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
The score should have been 40-3, the officiating was atrocious!!!
October 26th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
Yeah Aqualung has a lung full of crow! The Defensive Coordinator had a hell of a day!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Come on defense, get me a cheap score here to really rub in the victory, not just for you, but for my fantasy team.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
Braswell almost did something there
October 26th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
This Aints team is almost historically bad.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Aquabung was really off on his prediction today.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
The rattler is history. The rookie Shough looks better.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Lol
October 26th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
I am shocked by Braswell’s performance.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Refs should be fired after this game.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
Don’t let em score here!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
buc4evr Says:
October 26th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Refs should be fired after this game.
———
And investigated by the FBI.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
Good finish!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
The Bucs defense not only didn’t allow a garbage score, they got me an extra point with the sack at the end. What a call, by me, to start the Bucs today! Praise be to me!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Bucs offense looked pretty bad, defense was surprisingly good. Nelson really looked good as did Winfield.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Braswell finally did something good, he got pressure last play and cause the saints QB to step up in the pocket and get sacked
October 26th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
My league has the Bucs at 36 points, hoooaaahhhh!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
I question Grizz’s play calling. Can’t get away with these plays against NE, Bills or Rams.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
From now on Nelson should start over Riddick. Had three sacks.
Baker obviously injured but gutted it out.
And we are 6-2!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Back up RT
4th string RG
WRs 4-7
2nd-3rd string RB
Backup Left DE
Backup DT
The fact that they are winning games with this is amazing.
Hopefully Godwin, Goedecke, & Bucky are back after the bye & the offense can start rolling.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
great start but much needed . nothing against bucs but lost looking at the next 3 opponents a 6-5 record is possible.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
The Saints are worse than the Jets
October 26th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
Take the win Bucs fans. The Bucs ran a vanilla O because that was all that was nneeded, no bonehead fumbles. Refs did their best to help the Saints but that is a bad team. Bucs Anthem, Jeff and other trolls will go and hide under rocks for awhile. First place and a 2 game lead in divisiom. Gotta love it.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Offense was not dynamic but played it safe, Baker had the only fumble and no interceptions. Good enough, we have the bye week to get better. Tez Johnson has very good hands–just saying! we ought to take advantage of Tez’s skill set more.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Another stolen touchdown by the officials! By now the Bucs are sure to have the NFL on speed dial! Terrible!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Are they a Super Bowl team?
Not sure they are good enough up front – and who knows if Baker can get to the level.
But they are pretty fricken good, and well coached.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Great Win!!!! The Bucs D has showed how awesome they can be once healthy!!! Two games in a row they carried this team! The offense got going in the second half !! Griz got to lean away from the runs up the middle and all will be good!!
Enjoy your time off!! Get treated if you’re injured and get healthier!!! You got a Superbowl Run that starts in about 2 weeks! Next up the Patriots!! Rest up get healthy!!!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:27 pm
Seems like something is wrong with Wirfs never seen him get beat that many times.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Baker is playing hurt. He’s been on the injury report the last few weeks so hopefully the bye week will give him time to recover.
Not having Bucky in the lineup is effecting the Bucs play and not having Mike Evans on the goal line is brutal. THE BUCS WERE STUFFED ON 4 ATTEMPTS AT THE ONE YARD LINE.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
Yeah Wirfs was struggling. He got beat a few times pretty bad, plus he kind of disappeared on running plays.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
Grizz is lost, man. I get the injuries, but there’s zero creativity happening. Everything is predictable and telegraphed pre-snap. The two goal line sequences were both very, very concerning. It didn’t help that Barton looked like he was on roller skates for the second week in a row. And Wirfs definitely looked like he played his worst game as a pro. Beaten badly by Chase Young all game long.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Grizz needs help, play calling was pretty bad. Thankfully the defense was great today.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
Glorious!!!! Go Bucs!! 4 quarters baby!!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
The offensive line has gotten run over two weeks in a row. Maybe Witfs worst game today. Two weeks off might give them a chance to regroup. Would love to see Goedeke back.
October 26th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Something happened to Wirfs in Detroit. I remember him being down on his knees and struggling to get up after a play..
October 26th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Rod Munch Says:
The refs get the Mafia’s game ball.
==========================================
^^^^^^^^^THIS!!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
6-2 that equates to 12-5 at worst ,,, way to go guys ,, enjoy your week off
October 26th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
I thought the offense was very controlled and workmanlike. Running up the score against an angry, outmanned rival invites retaliation, often in the form of dirty, dangerous plays. The last thing you want to happen is have guys injured in hockey fights or suspended for unsportsmanlike actions. The talent disparity required self-control on the part of the Bucs because the Saints had nothing to lose. We play them again, and there was no reason to infuriate them by embarrassing them. Keep the score comfortably secure and run the clock to shorten the game. It would also be foolish to waste really good plays in a game like this rather than save them for bigger fish. Just win, play safe, and enjoy the bye week.
October 26th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
@Munch @ (first comment) BINGO!
@ Eric w/ pilot “BINGO”!
There were a couple more BINGO’S out there..
We got what we “needed” so we’ll have to just take this win with as much grace as possible and be happy with that.. We REALLY NEED some of our offensive guys back during the bye, and or Jason Licht grows some “We’re GOING TO GO” to the Super Bowl “balls”, and bring in some new blood. As it stands, we just don’t look strong enough to actually compete to get far enough in the play offs much less to Go To the Big Show and “Win It….”
And This guy Grizzard… boy is he bland. How can he not see HIMSELF as doing a poor job? If not for our Star kicker…. IJDK?
October 26th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
What f-ing whistle was blown? By who? The ghost of Jacque LaFayette?
October 26th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
@ Mobucs..
I’m sorry to hear that. You’re talking about playing scared. It WAS NOT a matter of playing a controlled game so as to not upset our Hated Enemies .. man!
What the he!! Are You Talking About? THAT’S A BUNCH OF NONSENSE! OUR OFFENSE SUCKED AND COULDN’T DO ANY BETTER OR THEY D@MN SURE WOULD HAVE! AND DON’T YOU EVER FORGET THAT!
We may not have played well on offense, BUT WE DONT PLAY B!TCH BALL!
MAN THE HE!! UP MISTER!
STORY TIME IS OVER!
October 26th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
bucboi scout his self. Best comment ever
October 26th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
The “Byron Leftwich Special” is not a good play and worse multiple times in a row. I swear I thought Grizzard got replaced by Leftwich.