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The New Orleans Saints aren’t the only ones ecstatic 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, sitting at 7-5 going into 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 Dec. 7, 2025. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
And Shoough didn’t really get the job done with his arm, but rather his leg, as his first career touchdown run was key to the win.
The biggest was in the fourth quarter after the Bucs turned it around on downs in a 17-17 game. It was a miraculous escape in the pocket of Shough, who everyone in the building and then at home thought was about to take a sack.
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But Shough was able to escape to his left and he saw a seam that looked alluring. He turned on the Jets and he ducked as he reached the end zone and crossed the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown run that was the eventual game-winner.
The Saints defense finally got on the field and forced a field goal on a promising drive for Tampa Bay. Then, after killing some clock, New Orleans chipped away at Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense had the chance for a much-needed comeback for their division hopes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws downfield during a heavy downpour in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
But just four plays later, the Saints turned the Bucs over on downs again when tight end Cade Otton missed the line to win on 4th and 4.
New Orleans also got plenty of help in the ground game from rookie Devin Neal, who continues to play well in the absence of an injured Alvin Kamara. He scored the game’s first touchdown while rushing for 70 yards on 19 carries. Shoough finished with 55 yards on the ground while passing for 144 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
On the other side of the box, Mayfield was just 14-of-30 for 122 yards with one touchdown and one interception as the weather clearly affected his confidence in hitting his guys. Bucky Irving, who had a 24-yard touchdown catch, had 55 yards rushing, although it was Sean Tucker who punched one into the end zone on the ground in this game.
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However, this game may have been different if Mayfield was able to connect with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka on the fourth quarter drive that ended in a Chase McLaughlin field goal. The ball was perfectly placed and it’s one he has made numerous times in his amazing season so far.
But it slipped his hands on what would have been a massive game score for Tampa Bay. Egbuka had just two catches for 26 yards, while Chris Godwin led the Bucs with 55 yards and receiving on five carries.
