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Game Recap: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51, New Orleans Saints 27  | 2024 NFL Week 6

Saints lose fourth consecutive game as rookie Spencer Rattler makes his debut

Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 of the 2024 NFL Season on Oct. 13, 2024 in the Caesars Superdome.

In a frenetic game that featured six turnovers, almost 20 penalties, a punt return for a touchdown, a rookie quarterback making his first start and wild swings in momentum, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored the final 27 points to defeat the New Orleans Saints 51-27 on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

The loss was the Saints' fourth consecutive and dropped them to 2-4. The Buccaneers improved to 4-2.

Saints rookie Spencer Rattler made his NFL debut in replace of the injured Derek Carr and had a solid debut until the Bucs' pass rush started to get home against the Saints' makeshift offensive line. Rattler had to play almost the entire game without star receiver Chris Olave who was knocked out of the game with a un-penalized head shot that caused a fumble and led to the Bucs' second touchdown. Tampa eventually would lead 17-0. New Orleans scored 27 points in the second quarter, aided in part by three Baker Mayfield interceptions and a punt return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed, to take the halftime lead 27-24.

But the offense couldn't get going in the second half and Tampa hit the Saints defense for multiple big plays, including a 55-yard touchdown catch and run by receiver Chris Godwin, his second. The Saints surrendered nearly 600 yards of offense and gave up 10 plays for 21 yards or more. New Orleans played most of the game without its starting safeties as Will Harris was placed on injured reserve after the loss to the Chiefs and Tyrann Mathieu left with a forearm injury in the first half.

Rattler was 22 of 40 for 243 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, both in the second half. Running back Alvin Kamara had 13 carries for 40 yards with a 4-yard touchdown run, the 60th of his career. Rookie receiver Bub Means had his first reception, his first touchdown catch (10 yards in the second quarter) while catching five catches for 45 yards. The Saints used their fourth combination at offensive line with the absence of guard/center Lucas Patrick. Connor McGovern started in his place. The run game was a struggle, the longest run was a 16-yard scramble by Rattler, and pass protection became an issue in the second half.

Paulson Adebo, Johnathan Abram and Cameron Jordan had interceptions for the Saints while linebacker Willie Gay had a sack. But it wasn't enough to stop Mayfield and the Bucs. The former No. 1 overall draft pick was 24 of 36 for 325 yards with four touchdown passes and the three interceptions. Sean Tucker had 14 carries for 136 yards while Bucky Irving added 81 yards on 14 carries. They each had a touchdown. It is the fifth time in franchise history the Saints have given up 50 or more points. The 594 yards is the second most the Saints have given up in franchise history.

The Bucs, playing for the first time in 10 days, practiced all week at Tulane to escape the impact of Hurricane Milton, which hit the Tampa Bay area. The Saints, who entered this week on short rest after the Monday night game, have an even shorter week as they host the Denver Broncos on "Thursday Night Football" at the Caesars Superdome. The Broncos (3-2) are playing the Los Angeles Chargers at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

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