Tampa, Fla. - The New Orleans Saints played one of their most dominating halves of football Sunday in taking a 20-7 lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
The Saints had scoring drives of 10 plays, 12 plays and 13 plays with the only outlier being a one-play drive following Demario Davis' interception of Jameis Winston. The Saints had the ball for 20 of the first 25 minutes thanks to sterling work on third down and exceptional play from quarterback Drew Brees, running back Alvin Kamara and receiver Michael Thomas.
Brees was 17 of 23 for 133 yards with two touchdown passes (16 yards to Thomas on the one-play drive and three yards to tight end Jared Cook). Kamara carried the ball eight times for 50 yards, had six receptions for 37 yards and a 27-yard punt return.
Thomas had five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. His fourth reception gave him 90 for the season, setting two NFL records.The only knock on the offense is that had to settle for two Wil Lutz field goals on a couple of the long drives (44 and 26 yards)
In addition to Davis' interception, safety Vonn Bell intercepted a pass down the deep middle to end the final Bucs possession of the half.
For complete stats go here.
Game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 11 of the 2019 NFL season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (87) gets stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (34) and free safety Jordan Whitehead (31) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks for a receiver against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) gets stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (34) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) gets stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Latavius Murray during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Latavius Murray during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks for a receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) hands off to running back Latavius Murray (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill (7) carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill (7) gets tripped up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
