Saints Shock the Bucs: Tyler Shough Steals the Spotlight 🏈⚡

Image Source :: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

On Sunday, under a steady drizzle in Tampa, the underdog New Orleans Saints stunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24–20. The win came against all odds: New Orleans entered 3–10 for the season, and was viewed as a long shot before kickoff. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2CBS Sports+2

Still, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough didn’t just survive the weather — he thrived in it. Shough delivered two critical rushing touchdowns, accounting for 55 yards on the ground, and finished with 144 passing yards. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2New Orleans Saints+2

That effort was enough to hand the Bucs a painful loss — and shake up the NFC South standings. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2New Orleans Saints+2

What made Shough the difference

Running when it counted

Shough’s first major play came just after halftime — a 34-yard dash that cut through the rain and put the Saints ahead. Later, with about eight minutes left in regulation, he scrambled 13 yards for the decisive touchdown. Those two runs alone turned the tide. New Orleans Saints+1

That mobility gives Shough a significant asset: in games where the pocket collapses or the weather makes passing dicey, he can turn what might be a lost play into a chunk of yards or even points.

A gritty, efficient drive game

The Saints didn’t pad their win with a string of flashy plays. Instead, they kept it steady. After a strong opening kickoff return set them up deep, they leaned on rookie running back Devin Neal for a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Neal ended the game with 70 yards — a strong complement to Shough’s performance. New Orleans Saints+2New Orleans Saints+2

On third downs, New Orleans moved the chains when it counted, forcing the Bucs to repeatedly start drives deep in their own territory — a dangerous place to be on a rainy day. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+1

Tampa’s mistakes, New Orleans’ opportunism

It wasn’t just what the Saints did well — the Buccaneers helped them out. Tampa Bay converted only 3 of 13 third-down tries, and failed on multiple fourth-down attempts. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+1

Their offense stalled — and their defense couldn’t get home in key moments. Shough escaped pressure repeatedly, including on his 13-yard scramble for the winning touchdown. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2New Orleans Saints+2

Add in a dropped potential game-tying pass in the final minute from Baker Mayfield, and that’s how New Orleans pulled off an upset. CBS Sports+2Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2

Ripples across the NFC South

This result does more than just give the Saints a win — it jolts the race for the division title. With Tampa Bay now at 7–6, they’re no longer comfortably in control of the NFC South. Their loss drops them into a tie at the top with the idle Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+1

Meanwhile, for a Saints squad that’s 3–10, this win becomes a statement: on any given Sunday, especially when games go sloppy and the weather gets rough, they can still be dangerous. New Orleans Saints+2New Orleans Saints+2

For the Bucs, though — this drop could sting deeper than just a lost game. With two of their next three games against Carolina, this result might underscore growing concerns about consistency and play execution under pressure. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+2New Orleans Saints+2

Where things could go from here

For the Saints

• If Shough keeps mixing in effective runs with manageable passing, New Orleans becomes harder to predict — especially late in close games.

• A backfield starring both Shough and Devin Neal gives them a different dimension. Run-heavy approaches might pay off, especially if the weather stays rough or opposing defenses try to blitz.

• Their defense still has to play better. They allowed enough rushing from Tampa to keep the game within reach. If they shore up run defense and pressure the quarterback, more surprises are possible.

For the Bucs

• Tampa needs urgent fixes on third- and fourth-down conversion rates. Poor execution there cost them dearly this week.

• The run defense — especially given how often Shough escaped pressure and moved the chains — needs to tighten up. Letting dual-threat QBs roam might cost them again.

• With tight divisional games ahead, they’ll need sharper execution, especially in clutch situations, if they want to avoid letting the NFC South slip away.

How to watch if you catch a repeat

If you find yourself tuning in next time the Saints face the Buccaneers, expect the usual — but keep an eye on two things: whether Shough is using his legs, and how Tampa handles critical downs.

With every sneak, scramble or third-down conversion, these matchups are shaping into gritty, 4th-quarter slogs — often decided by who can stay focused, not who has the flashiest offense.

Why this game matters

At a glance, a 24–20 win by a 3–10 team might not seem important. But games like this ripple beyond Sunday’s box score.

It shows that in the NFC South — a division often defined by narrow margins — even teams near the bottom can shake up the race if things click. For fans and analysts alike, it’s a reminder that every game counts.

For Tampa Bay, it’s a warning sign: you don’t get a mulligan when division rivals are lurking. For New Orleans, it’s a shot of confidence: with a rookie QB who can run, and a willing ground game, they can compete even when odds are stacked against them.

Bottom line: in the battle of Saints vs Buccaneers, anything can happen.

References

• “Saints 24, Buccaneers 20 – Bucs Lose to New Orleans Saints in Week 14” — Tampa Bay Buccaneers official recap. Tampa Bay Buccaneers+1

• “Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 | 2025 NFL Week 14” — New Orleans Saints.com. New Orleans Saints+1

• “Rookie QB Tyler Shough’s 2 TD runs lead Saints to a 24-20 upset of Buccaneers” — CBS Sports / AP recap. CBS Sports+1

• “Saints shock Buccaneers in Tampa, 24-20” — WBRC News article. https://www.wbrc.com