Saints spoil Bucs' clinching plans, remain in playoff hunt

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st December, 16:23 2023

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackle during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes, the New Orleans defense forced four turnovers and the visiting Saints kept their playoff hopes alive with a 23-13 victory against the Tampa Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Carr completed 24-of-32 passes for 197 yards and threw touchdowns to Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson, who finished with eight catches for 90 yards.

Baker Mayfield was 22-of-33 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions. Tampa Bay (8-8), which had won four in a row, missed an opportunity to clinch its third consecutive NFC South title, but can still do so with a victory at Carolina next weekend.

The Saints (8-8), who avenged a 26-9 home loss to Tampa Bay in Week 4, can win the South by beating visiting Atlanta next weekend if the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers.

Tampa Bay forced a 3-and-out on the first possession of the second half, then drove to the New Orleans 43. But Rachaad White fumbled when he was hit by Johnathan Abram. Demario Davis recovered for the Saints and returned to their 45.

New Orleans made two first downs before stalling and Blake Grupe kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 20-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Mayfield threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer to trim the lead to 20-7 with 7:50 remaining.

After Grupe kicked a 38-yard field goal, Mayfield threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin, but the two-point conversion pass was intercepted by Paulson Abedo, leaving New Orleans with a 10-point lead.

The Saints scored a touchdown on their first possession for the first time this season. Carr finished a 14-play, 73-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Johnson. The 7-0 lead held up through the end of the first quarter.

The Buccaneers drove to the New Orleans 36 early in the second quarter before Alontae Taylor intercepted Mayfield at the 2.

Carr threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Hill and Grupe added a 45-yard goal to increase the Saints' lead to 17-0 at halftime.

—Field Level Media

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