Week 14 delivered one of the more frustrating results of the season for New Orleans. Despite an outstanding performance through the air and five passing touchdowns, the Saints dropped a 51–34 decision to the Buccaneers, falling to 7–7 on the year.
This was a game defined by contrast: efficiency and explosiveness offensively, undone by defensive breakdowns and an inability to control the run.
Mateer Delivers Elite Efficiency
From a quarterbacking standpoint, this was one of the Saints’ strongest performances of the season.
John Mateer was sharp, decisive, and productive:
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27 completions on 36 attempts
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368 passing yards
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5 touchdowns
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1 interception
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135.1 passer rating
New Orleans converted 100% of its fourth-down attempts and consistently moved the ball through the air, finishing with 382 passing yards and five receiving touchdowns spread across the offense.
Receiving Corps Produces Across the Board
The Saints’ passing attack was balanced and efficient, with multiple players making key contributions:
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Juwan Stowers: 6 receptions, 54 yards, 2 TDs
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Ja’Kobi Lane: 6 receptions, 104 yards
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Laviska Shenault Jr.: 41 yards, 1 TD
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Juwan Johnson: 46-yard touchdown
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Devaughn Vele: 44-yard touchdown
The offense consistently generated chunk plays and finished drives through the air, scoring five times without needing to lean on the run game near the goal line.
Run Defense Becomes the Difference
While the Saints found success offensively, the game was ultimately decided on the ground.
Tampa Bay rushed for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns, repeatedly winning at the point of attack and controlling game flow. Bucky Irving was the catalyst, finishing with 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including multiple explosive runs that flipped momentum.
New Orleans, by contrast, managed just 78 rushing yards as a team. The inability to slow Tampa Bay’s run game forced the Saints into a reactive defensive posture for most of the night.
Defensive Struggles in Key Moments
Despite generating an interception and a handful of stops, the Saints defense could not consistently get off the field. Tampa Bay converted efficiently in the red zone and capitalized on favorable field position throughout the game.
The Buccaneers scored 51 points on 494 total yards, finishing drives with touchdowns while New Orleans settled for missed opportunities in the red zone.
The Takeaway
This loss was not about effort or offensive execution. It was about balance and control.
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New Orleans won through the air
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Tampa Bay won the trenches
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The run game—and stopping it—proved decisive
With the postseason picture tightening, the Saints now face a clear focus heading into the final stretch: pairing their explosive passing attack with defensive consistency and improved run control.
Week 14 showed what this offense can be at full speed.
The next step is making sure it does not have to be perfect to win.
