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Game Preview: Buccaneers vs. Saints | 2024 NFL Week 18

The New Orleans Saints visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium for Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 at noon CT.

WEEK 18 · Sun 01/05 · 12:00 PM CST

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Raymond James Stadium

The New Orleans Saints (5-11) close the 2024 season on the road, traveling to take on the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) at Raymond James on Jan. 5. It is the latest regular season date that the Saints will play the Buccaneers and the first time they finish the regular season against each other since the 2017 campaign.

The Saints hold a 40-25 regular season advantage in the series, the club's top winning percentage (.615) against an opponent the team has faced more than once. The Saints will look to even up their record at 4-4 since Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi took the Saints reigns and looking to help him finish the season with a 2-1 road record. The Buccaneers need a win to clinch the NFC South. A Saints win combined with an Atlanta victory would deny Tampa Bay their playoff ticket.

This Week In The NFC South: The Atlanta Falcons (8-8) host the Carolina Panthers (4-12) on Sunday at noon CT.

SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS SERIES HISTORY

The Saints and Buccaneers first met in 1977. New Orleans has posted a 40-25 regular season record vs. Tampa Bay, the club's best winning percentage (.615) vs. an opponent they've played at least 17 games against. In the last ten regular season meetings between the Saints and Buccaneers, the Saints have a 6-4 edge, with only one of the contests being decided by a touchdown or less.

In the 65 regular season games of the series there has been:

  • 2,183 points scored by New Orleans, 1,241 allowed.
  • A seven-game regular season New Orleans winning streak from 2011-2014 and from 2018-2021.
  • An 18-10 record for the Saints in games played in Tampa.
  • 28 games decided by double-digits.
  • Eight games decided by 21 or more points.
  • 34 games decided by seven points or less.
  • A 41-point win by New Orleans on December 16, 2012, the club's first shutout against the Buccaneers.
  • Since both clubs joined the NFC South in 2002, New Orleans has swept the regular season series eight times, the last in 2021.

THE LAST REGULAR SEASON MEETING

New Orleans Saints 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51; Oct. 13, 2024 @ 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.

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.

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. FULL GAME RECAP

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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.

SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS SUPERLATIVES

A look at the top individual performances for Saints players against the Buccaneers in the previous 65 meetings:

SAINTS RUSHING YARDAGE vs. TAMPA BAY (100+ yards)

PlayerPerformance/Location/Date
RB Rueben Mayes24 carries for 172 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Oct. 19, 1986
RB Chris Ivory15 carries for 158 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 17, 2010
RB Craig Heyward20 carries for 155 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Nov. 11, 1990
RB Deuce McAllister15 carries for 123 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Oct. 8, 2006
RB George Rogers23 carries for 120 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Nov. 29, 1981
RB Deuce McAllister26 carries for 110 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 2, 2003
RB Deuce McAllister31 carries for 109 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Sept. 9, 2002
RB Deuce McAllister21 carries for 102 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Oct. 10, 2004

SAINTS PASSING YARDAGE vs. TAMPA BAY (300+ yards)

PlayerPerformance/Location/Date
QB Drew Brees
37-of-45 for 439 yards and 3 TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sept. 9, 2018
QB Drew Brees
29-of-45 for 383 yards and 1 TD, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 16, 2011
QB Drew Brees
24-of-31 for 381 yards and 4 TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Dec. 29, 2013
QB Drew Brees
27-of-37 for 377 yards and 4 TDs, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 21, 2012
QB Drew Brees
35-of-57 for 371 yards and 2 TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Oct. 5, 2014
QB Drew Brees
23-of-32 for 343 yards and 3 TDs, @ Louisiana Superdome, Sept. 7, 2008
QB Ken Stabler29-of-43 for 333 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Dec. 5, 1982
QB Drew Brees
26-of-46 for 322 yards and 1 TD, @ Raymond James Stadium, Sept. 15, 2013
QB Drew Brees
24-of-32 for 314 yards and 3 TDs, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 5, 2006
QB Teddy Bridgewater
26-of-34 for 314 yards and 4 TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Oct. 6, 2019
QB Drew Brees
31-of-41 for 312 yards and 2 TDs, @ Raymond James Stadium, Dec. 13, 2015
QB Drew Brees
26-of-39 for 307 yards and 4 TDs, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Dec. 16, 2012

SAINTS RECEIVING YARDAGE vs. TAMPA BAY (100+ yards)

PlayerPerformance/Location/Date
WR Michael Thomas
11 receptions for 182 yards, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Oct. 6, 2019
WR Michael Thomas
16 receptions for 180 yards, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sept. 9, 2018
TE Jimmy Graham
10 receptions for 179 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Sept. 15, 2013
TE Jimmy Graham7 receptions for 124 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 16, 2011
WR Marques Colston11 receptions for 123 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 5, 2006
WR Willie Snead IV7 receptions for 122 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Dec. 13, 2015
WR Lance Moore9 receptions for 121 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 21, 2012
WR Marques Colston7 receptions for 118 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Oct. 16, 2011
WR Joe Horn9 receptions for 118 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Dec. 7, 2003
WR Michael Thomas8 receptions for 114 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 7, 2019
RB Reggie Bush8 receptions for 112 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Sept. 7, 2008
WR Marquez Callaway6 receptions for 112 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Dec. 19, 2021
WR Devery Henderson3 receptions for 111 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 5, 2006
WR Marques Colston6 receptions for 106 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 30, 2008
WR Joe Horn8 receptions for 108 yards, @ Raymond James Stadium, Sept. 9, 2002
WR Joe Horn5 receptions for 106 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Dec. 1, 2002

SAINTS SACKS vs. TAMPA BAY (3+)

PlayerPerformance/Location/Date
LB Pat Swilling4 sacks, @ Tampa Stadium, Nov. 11, 1990
DE Bruce Clark3 sacks, @ Superdome, Sept. 9, 1984
LB Darion Conner3 sacks, @ Houlihan’s Stadium, Sept. 18, 1994
DE/DT Willie Whitehead3 sacks, @ Raymond James Stadium, Nov. 2, 2003

SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS STATISTICAL COMPARISON

2024 NFL Regular Season League Rankings

 SaintsTampa Bay
Record5-119-7
Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank)19.9 (23)29.7 (4)
Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank)23.2 (18)22.9 (17)
Total Off. (NFL Rank)321.9 (20)399.9 (3)
Rushing Off. (NFL Rank)118.1 (14)147.3 (4)
Passing Off. (NFL Rank)203.8 (24)252.6 (3)
Total Def. (NFL Rank)379.0 (30)344.9 (22)
Rushing Def. (NFL Rank)139.1 (28)99.9 (18)
Passing Def. (NFL Rank)239.9 (27)244.9 (30)
Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank)12.7 (4)8.0 (25)
Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank)27.0 (18)26.0 (25)
Turnover Margin (NFL Rank)-3 (17)-4 (18)
Possession Avg.28:1031:59
Touchdowns3656
Penalties10296
Penalty Yards926749
Opp. Penalties10388
Opp. Penalty Yards869820

SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS SERIES FAST FACTS

SERIES FAST FACTS - as of Week 17 2024
CategoryDetails
Saints’ Largest Margin of Victory41 points, Saints won 41-0 on 12/16/12 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Buccaneers’ Largest Margin of Victory
27 points, Buccaneers won 48-21 on 12/23/01 at Raymond James Stadium.
Current Series StreakBuccaneers won last game, 10/13/24-present.
New Orleans’ Longest Winning StreakSeven games, 11/16/11-11/28/14 and 12/9/18-12/19/21.
Buccaneers’ Longest Win StreakThree games, 9/18/22-10/1/23.
Most Points by Saints in a Game44 points, Saints won 44-34 on 12/6/87 at the Louisiana Superdome.
Most Points by Tampa Bay in a Game51 points, Tampa Bay won 51-27 on 10/13/24 at Caesars Superdome.
Most Combined Points (Both Teams)
88 points, Buccaneers won 48-40 on 9/9/18 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Fewest Points by Saints in a GameThree points, Buccaneers won 10-3 on 12/4/05 at Tiger Stadium.
Fewest Points by Buccaneers in a Game0 points (two times), Saints won 41-0 on 12/16/12 and 9-0 on 12/19/21.
Fewest Combined Points (Both Teams)9 points, Saints won 9-0 on 12/19/21 at Raymond James Stadium.

SAINTS vs. BUCCANEERS CONNECTIONS

  • Saints WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling prepped at Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and played the final three years of his college career at the University of South Florida.
  • Valdes-Scantling and Buccaneers G Royce Newman were teammates in Green Bay in 2021.
  • Saints Assistant Special Teams Coach Phil Galiano served as special teams coordinator in Tampa Bay from 2012-13.
  • New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods served as a defensive quality control coach in Tampa Bay from 2004-05.
  • Saints DE Isaiah Foskey was teammates at Notre Dame with Buccaneers OL Robert Hainsey.
  • Buccaneers WR Sterling Sheperd's late father, Derrick Sheperd, played for the Saints in 1989.
  • Saints WR Dante Pettis and C/G Shane Lemieux played with Sheperd and Buccaneers G Ben Bredeson with the New York Giants.
  • Saints LB Demario Davis and DT Nathan Shepherd played for Tampa Bay Head Coach Todd Bowles and Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Kacy Rodgers with the New York Jets.
  • Saints Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi, Bowles, Rodgers, and Tampa Bay Outside Linebackers Coach George Edwards served on the same Miami Dolphins coaching staff.
  • Bowles served as defensive coordinator & secondary coach at Grambling State from 1998-99.
  • New Orleans WR Bub Means and Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey were college teammates at Pittsburgh.
  • Shepherd played with Buccaneers K Chase McLaughlin and S Jordan Whitehead with the Jets in 2022.
  • New Orleans S Tyrann Mathieu was teammates in Arizona with Tampa Bay Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Larry Foote and Assistant Secondary Coach Rashad Johnson.
  • Buccaneers WR Trey Palmer was a standout at Kentwood (La.) HS, played at LSU from 2019-21 as a member of their 2019 national championship team, where he played with Saints RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
  • Saints DB Jordan Howden played with Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr., RB Bucky Irving, and TE Ko Kieft at the University of Minnesota.
  • Saints Vice President/Player Engagement Fred McAfee played for Tampa Bay in 1999.
  • Tampa Bay Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry served as assistant offensive line coach in New Orleans in 2023.
  • New Orleans CB Kool-Aid McKinstry and Tampa Bay LB Chris Braswell were college teammates at the University of Alabama.
  • Saints DE Payton Turner and Buccaneers DE Logan Hall were college teammates at the University of Houston.
  • New Orleans Tight Ends Coach Clancy Barone, Senior Offensive Assistant Rick Dennison, Quarterbacks Coach Andrew Janocko, Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak, and Tampa Bay Outside Linebackers Coach George Edwards served on the same coaching staff with the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Saints WR Dante Pettis and Tampa Bay TE Cade Otton, LB Joe Tyron-Shoyinka, NT Vita Vea, and NT Greg Gaines were college teammates at the University of Washington.
  • Pettis and Buccaneers T Justin Skule were teammates in San Francisco from 2019-20.
  • Tampa Bay Defensive Quality Control Assistant Joey Fitzgerald served on the Southeastern Louisiana University coaching staff in 2017.
  • Fitzgerald served on Grantham's defensive staff at Florida in 2018 and on the Louisiana-Monroe staff in 2019-20.
  • Fitzgerald also served on the Northwestern State University staff.
  • Tampa Bay Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore served as running backs coach of the Saints in 1997.
  • Dennison and Buccaneers Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey served on the same Denver Broncos coaching staff from 2005-06.
  • McGaughey served as special teams coordinator & defensive assistant at LSU from 2011-13, where he developed Mathieu into a first-team All-American return specialist in 2011.
  • Saints C/G Cesar Ruiz and Buccaneers G Ben Bredeson were college teammates at Michigan.
  • Saints T Landon Young and Buccaneers S Mike Edwards were college teammates at Kentucky.
  • Valdes-Scantling and Edwards were teammates in Kansas City in 2023 and in Buffalo in 2024.
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