> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Saints stun Bucs at Raymond James Stadium in 24–20 upset - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/saints-stun-bucs-at-raymond-james/ - Published: 2025-12-08T18:01:53.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-08T18:01:53.000Z - Description: Tampa Bay falls into a tie for the NFC South lead after shocking loss to New Orleans. - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 Rain showers dampened Raymond James Stadium all afternoon, but it was the Buccaneers’ performance that truly brought the gloom to Tampa Bay fans. The Bucs (7-6) lost to the New Orleans Saints (3-10) 24-20 on Sunday afternoon. “I think we just gave it to them really,” cornerback Zyon McCollum said. “We had chances to make game-changing plays and we didn’t.” Tampa Bay has now dropped five of its past seven games. The Bucs are averaging just 19.2 points per game over that span. Tampa Bay mustered only 20 points against New Orleans in the sloppy conditions. The Bucs converted just three of their 13 third downs and two of their seven fourth-down attempts. The offense started fast, marching 67 yards in seven plays on the opening possession. The drive ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield to running back Bucky Irving that tied the game at 7. Mayfield completed his first eight passes before cooling off dramatically. He completed just six of his next 22 attempts and finished with 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in five of his past six games. “As a skill group, we didn’t make the plays we needed to make in the pass game,” Mayfield said. One of the biggest missed plays came in the fourth quarter, when a would-be game-tying touchdown pass was dropped by Emeka Egbuka. “It’s a huge honor to play for this team and be a part of this brotherhood. Can’t help but feel like I let them down today,” Egbuka said. Tampa Bay’s offense ranks outside the top 15 in the NFL in scoring, total yards and third-down conversion rate. The Bucs ranked top five in each category last season. Irving led the Bucs with 55 rushing yards and added 26 receiving yards and a touchdown. Receiver Chris Godwin had a game-high five catches for 55 yards. Tampa Bay played without All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Benjamin Chukwuma made his first career start in his place. The Bucs also lost starting guard Ben Bredeson in the second quarter. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s legs were the story of the Saints’ offense. Shough had touchdown runs of 34 and 13 yards in the second half. He finished with 144 passing yards, a career-high 55 rushing yards, his first two career rushing touchdowns and an interception. The Saints scored a season-high 24 points, marking just the second time they’ve surpassed 20 this season. New Orleans had 182 of its 260 yards in the second half. McCollum picked off Shough in the second quarter for his first interception of the season. Defensive linemen Vita Vea, Greg Gaines and linebacker Chris Braswell Jr. each recorded sacks. The loss dropped Tampa Bay into a tie with the Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South. The Bucs and Panthers will meet twice over the final four weeks. It will be a quick turnaround for Tampa Bay, which hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. “As bitter a taste as this is — and it’s very bitter for me and everybody else — we’ve got to turn around tomorrow and not let one loss turn into two,” coach Todd Bowles said. There isn’t much room for error moving forward if the Bucs hope to make a sixth straight playoff appearance and win a fifth straight NFC South title.