To open this game, the Buccaneers won the toss, but instead of electing to receive the ball, as they have been doing all season, they deferred to the second half, giving the Saints the first crack at things. Who knows whether or not this would have happened anyways, but on the opening series, New Orleans was able to take the ball 60 yards in 10 plays to get into field goal range and strike on the scoreboard first at 3-0.

On the Buccaneers’ first series, they were not as effective. After a short run on first down, Tampa Bay wasn’t able to pick up anything else and were forced to punt. As they did on their first series, the Saints were able to move the ball efficiently, traveling 68 yards in 12 plays, once again getting them into field goal range. Kicker Will Lutz made it two in a row by making the score 6-0.

On the Bucs next drive, they didn’t even make it three plays for a three-and-out, as Winston was intercepted on second down. The turnover wasn’t really his fault, though, as the pass bounced off tight end O.J. Howard’s hands and into the hands of the Saints defender. On the very next play following the change of possession, Brees hit wide receiver Michael Thomas in the end zone to extend their lead to 13-0.

We wish we could say that this was the point where the Bucs offense came alive, but that’s not what happened. After just five plays, they were one again forced to punt the ball back to New Orleans. The Saints once again took total control of the game, traveling 58 yards in 13 plays once again capping their drive off with a touchdown. That brought their lead to 20-0.

After going down 20 in their own house, the Bucs finally were able to punch back. On a drive that traveled 75 yards in seven plays, 48 of the yards coming from a bomb pass from Winston to Scotty Miller, the Bucs were able to punch it in for six points. After the extra point, the game became 20-7.

After scoring their first points, the defense locked down and forced the Saints to punt for the first time all game. With just over a minute in the half, Tampa got the ball back. They drove down past midfield, but the offensive line was making it tough for Winston and company to convert. Ultimately, with time winding down, Winston took a chance over the middle and it was intercepted to end the half.

Though it wasn’t great that the Bucs gave up points on the opening drive after deferring to the second half, when they got the ball to open the third quarter, they had a chance to equalize or even exceed what the Saints did on their first possession. After traveling 38 yards, Tampa was faced with a long field goal, but rookie kicker Matt Gay nailed the 55-yarder to bring the game to 20-10.

Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the Saints weren’t phased at all after seeing their lead dwindle. Brees and Company went on a long 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in six points, bringing the score to 27-10. But just as New Orleans punched back, so did the home Buccaneers. Eight plays after giving up the touchdown, Winston and Godwin connected for one of their own. The scoreboard showed 27-17 with just over a minute left in the third quarter.

The Bucs defense stood strong to start the fourth quarter, forcing the Saints to punt after just four plays. With a chance to capitalize, the Bucs came up short, as a controversial offensive pass interference call on wide receiver Mike Evans led to Tampa Bay punting the ball back after just five plays.

As the Saints received the ball with about 10 minutes left in the game, they traveled up to midfield before being faced with a tough third-and-short. But the Bucs run defense came up big and stoned them at the line. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton then had a decision to make, and opted to roll the dice no fourth down. They converted. On the next set of down, the Saints were again faced with a third down that the Bucs stopped short of the line. This time they punted.

When the Bucs received the ball once again, a nice 22-yard toss to Mike Evans got them out of their own 20-yard line. But after taking a hard hit on the previous play and showing a serious limp, Winston overthrew Evans on fourth down which went for a pick-6. This brought the score to 34-17.

After going down double their score, the Bucs got the ball back and moved it well. Winston stayed in the game, despite clearly not looking 100 percent, and hit a multitude of receivers to march down the field. But as they reached the goal line, Winston threw his fourth interception of the day on a fade pass to the end zone. This all but sealed their fate.

34-17 is how it would end.