Game Preview: Buccaneers vs. Saints – 2023 NFL Week 17
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints in Week 17 of the 2023 NFL regular season on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at noon CT.
SAINTS
VS
BUCCANEERS
In their last road regular season game of 2023, the New Orleans Saints (7-8) take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) with well-rested and prepared players following ten days off the field. Following a devastating 30-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, the Saints put out a heroic effort, rallying from a 30-point hole in the fourth quarter to within eight points thanks to key plays made by the offense, defense, and special teams.
A victory on Sunday will be crucial if the Saints want to reach the postseason for the first time since 2020. New Orleans remains one game behind the 8-7 Buccaneers and in the same spot as the 7-8 Atlanta Falcons in a competitive NFC South division race.
The Saints, who lead the all-time rivalry 39-24 and are aiming to avoid two consecutive season sweeps for the first time since the two clubs joined the NFC South in 2002, will take on the Buccaneers in an attempt to exact revenge for their division rival’s 26-9 setback at the Caesars Superdome on October 1. To win the NFC South, New Orleans must triumph in their final two games of the season—against Tampa Bay and against Atlanta—plus suffer a defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 as the Buccaneers.
This Week In The NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (2-13) play at the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) and the Atlanta Falcons (7-8), play at the Chicago Bears (6-9).
BUCCANEERS vs. SAINTS SERIES HISTORY
The Saints and Buccaneers first met in 1977. New Orleans has posted a 39-24 regular season record vs. Tampa Bay, the club’s best winning percentage (.619) vs. an opponent they’ve played at least eight games against.
In the 63 games of the series there has been:
- 2,133 points scored by New Orleans, 1,177 allowed.
- A seven-game regular season New Orleans winning streak from 2011-2014 and from 2018-2021.
- A 17-10 record for the Saints in games played in Tampa.
- 26 games decided by double-digits.
- Seven 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 MEETING
New Orleans Saints 9, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26; Oct. 1, 2023 – Week 4 @ Caesars Superdome –
The New Orleans Saints saw their quarterback, Derek Carr, and running back, Alvin Kamara, return to the field on Sunday, but it was insufficient to spark an offense that faltered in a 26-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints suffered their second straight defeat, falling to 2-2, while Tampa Bay took the lead in the NFC South early on with a 3-1 record.
Blake Grupe, a rookie kicker, scored all of New Orleans’ scores with field goals that were 37, 32, and 44 yards away. The Saints were only five of fourteen on third downs, surrendered three sacks, and only managed 197 yards of offense.
Baker Mayfield, the quarterback for Tampa Bay, completed 25 of 32 throws for 246 yards with three touchdown touchdowns. In addition, he scrambled five times for 34 yards, extending many drives. Chris Godwin, a receiver, has eight receptions for 114 yards.
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