Anthony Nelson returned an interception for a touchdown, the Tampa Bay defense forced three more turnovers, Chase McLaughlin made three field goals of 50-plus yards and the visiting Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-3 on Sunday.
Nelson intercepted a Spencer Rattler pass and returned the ball 3 yards for the game’s first points in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers (6-2) never relinquished the lead. Baker Mayfield completed 15 of 24 passes for just 152 yards, but that was good enough thanks to the Tampa Bay defense and McLaughlin.
Rattler, who also lost a fumble to give him six turnovers in two games, completed 15 of 21 for 136 yards as the Saints (1-7) lost their third straight. Rookie second-round draft choice Tyler Shough replaced Rattler in the third quarter and completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards with an interception.
The Buccaneers received the second-half kickoff and drove to a first-and-goal at the Saints’ 1-yard line. After two incompletions and a rush for no gain, Sean Tucker ran 1 yard for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead.
McLaughlin kicked a 55-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-3 at the end of the third quarter. He added field goals of 52 and 54 yards in the fourth quarter.
The Saints moved into scoring position on the first possession of the game, but Rattler fumbled and Lavonte David recovered for the Buccaneers at their 32 and the game remained scoreless through the end of the first quarter.
Tampa Bay drove to a first-and-goal at the New Orleans 1, but the Saints defense stopped four consecutive runs for no gain, producing a turnover on downs. Two plays later Nelson made his pick-six.
New Orleans committed its third turnover of the half when Rashid Shaheed fumbled and Antoine Winfield Jr., who would intercept Shough in the third quarter, recovered for the Buccaneers at the Saints’ 47. Three plays later Mayfield fumbled while being sacked and Chase Young recovered, giving New Orleans the ball at the Buccaneers’ 45.
Six plays later Blake Grupe kicked a 48-yard field goal to trim the lead to 7-3 at halftime.
