Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats – (Jan 05, 2025)
The tampa bay buccaneers vs new orleans saints match player stats from their January 5, 2025 clash revealed exactly how the Bucs secured their fourth straight NFC South title.
Final Score and Game Context
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 27 New Orleans Saints: 19
Played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, this Week 18 matchup saw the Buccaneers overcome a 16-6 halftime deficit with a 21-3 second-half surge.
For Tampa Bay, the win meant:
- Fourth consecutive NFC South championship
- Fifth straight playoff appearance
- Momentum heading into postseason play
The Saints, under interim coach Darren Rizzi, finished their season at 5-12, last in the division.
Quarterback Statistics Comparison
| Player | Team | Comp-Att | Comp% | Yards | TD | INT | Passer Rating | Rush Att | Rush Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Mayfield | TB | 21-32 | 65.6% | 221 | 2 | 1 | 93.4 | 9 | 68 |
| Spencer Rattler | NO | 26-42 | 61.9% | 240 | 1 | 0 | 85.4 | 1 | 11 |
Mayfield’s Dual-Threat Impact
Baker Mayfield showed why he revitalized his career in Tampa, completing 21 passes for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns. His career-best 68 rushing yards proved crucial, particularly his 28-yard scramble on third-and-14.
The veteran QB finished with a 93.4 passer rating despite throwing one interception.
Rattler’s Rookie Season Finale
Spencer Rattler, the Saints rookie QB, posted solid numbers with 240 passing yards and a touchdown without turnovers. His performance told two different stories:
- First half: 21/28, 151 yards, highly efficient
- Second half: Much less effective as Tampa’s defense adjusted
Running Back Production
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Receptions | Rec Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucky Irving | TB | 19 | 89 | 4.7 | 1 | 25 | 2 | -5 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | NO | 8 | 26 | 3.3 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 14 |
| Jamaal Williams | NO | 8 | 15 | 1.9 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
Buccaneers Ground Game Dominance
Rookie Bucky Irving led Tampa Bay’s powerful rushing attack with 19 carries for 89 yards (4.7 avg) and the game-sealing 11-yard touchdown. His 25-yard burst showcased his explosiveness, according to Pro-Football-Reference stats.
Combined with Mayfield’s scrambling ability, the Buccaneers totaled 179 rushing yards on 31 attempts (5.8 avg), continuing their remarkable season-long turnaround from last year’s league-worst rushing offense.
Saints’ Injury-Depleted Backfield
Without Alvin Kamara (groin) and Kendre Miller (concussion), New Orleans struggled on the ground:
- Team total: 64 yards on 19 attempts (3.4 avg)
- Edwards-Helaire: 8 carries, 26 yards (3.3 avg)
- Williams: 8 carries, 15 yards (1.9 avg)
This lack of ground threat made the Saints’ offense predictable, especially in the second half.
Top Receivers and Pass-Catchers
| Player | Team | Position | Targets | Catches | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Evans | TB | WR | 14 | 9 | 89 | 9.9 | 0 | 14 |
| Jalen McMillan | TB | WR | 6 | 5 | 74 | 14.8 | 1 | 33 |
| Juwan Johnson | NO | TE | 7 | 6 | 80 | 13.3 | 0 | 26 |
| M. Valdes-Scantling | NO | WR | 8 | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 20 |
Evans’ Historic Achievement
Mike Evans caught 9 passes for 89 yards, pushing his season total to 1,004 yards. This marked his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season, tying Jerry Rice’s NFL record. CBS Sports’ game recap noted that Tampa Bay specifically ran a final play to help Evans reach this milestone.
McMillan’s Clutch Performance
Rookie Jalen McMillan continued his late-season surge with 5 catches for 74 yards and the go-ahead 32-yard touchdown. His touchdown was his fifth in five consecutive games, placing him in elite company among rookie receivers.
Saints’ Receiving Leaders
Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with 6 receptions for 80 yards despite being questionable with a knee injury. Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught 3 of 8 targets for 33 yards, while Foster Moreau contributed 4 catches for 31 yards.
Notably absent from the stat sheet was Chris Olave, who was active but recorded no catches.
Defensive Standouts
Buccaneers Defense
| Player | Team | Position | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Hayes | TB | DB | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L. David | TB | LB | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Y. Diaby | TB | LB | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| V. Vea | TB | DL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Tampa Bay’s defense overcame missing three starting secondary players with key contributions from:
- J. Hayes: Led team with 10 total tackles
- Lavonte David: 9 total tackles (4 solo)
- Yaya Diaby: 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
The defensive adjustments at halftime proved decisive, allowing just 3 points in the second half. Tampa Bay’s coaches identified these adjustments as game-changers.
Saints Defense
| Player | Team | Position | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W. Harris | NO | DB | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| U. Amadi | NO | DB | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D. Davis | NO | LB | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| N. Sewell | NO | LB | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
New Orleans’ defensive highlights included:
- Will Harris: Team-high 8 tackles (all solo)
- Nephi Sewell: First career sack
- Jordan Howden: Intercepted Mayfield in the third quarter
Safety Tyrann Mathieu exited with a concussion in the fourth quarter, further depleting their secondary.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Stat Category | Saints | Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 292 | 395 |
| Passing Yards | 228 | 216 |
| Rushing Yards | 64 | 179 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.6 | 6.2 |
| First Downs | 19 | 20 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 3/13 (23.1%) | 10/16 (62.5%) |
| 4th Down Conv. | 2/3 (66.7%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Time of Possession | 27:44 | 32:16 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties | 8-77 | 12-90 |
The third-down conversion disparity (62.5% vs. 23.1%) stands out as perhaps the most telling statistic, as reported by FOX Sports game data.
Tampa Bay’s ability to sustain drives despite committing more penalties and losing the turnover battle underscores their offensive efficiency.
Impact of Injuries on Performance
Both teams missing key players significantly impacted statistical output:
Tampa Bay Missing:
- S Antoine Winfield Jr. (Knee)
- CB Jamel Dean (Knee)
- S Jordan Whitehead (car accident)
- TE Cade Otton (Knee)
New Orleans Missing:
- QB Derek Carr (Shoulder/Hand)
- RB Alvin Kamara (Groin)
- RB Kendre Miller (Concussion)
- LB Willie Gay Jr. (Shoulder)
- LB Pete Werner (Concussion)
The Buccaneers overcame these absences with depth and coaching adjustments, while the Saints’ offense struggled without their top playmakers.
Historical Context
This game continued Tampa Bay’s recent dominance in the rivalry, giving them wins in 5 of the last 6 meetings dating back to the start of the 2022 season.
The victory continued a notable trend: Tampa Bay has held New Orleans under 20 points in 4 of their 5 recent wins, showing defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ consistent success against the Saints.
FAQ: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats
Which quarterback performed better statistically in the Bucs-Saints Week 18 matchup?
While Spencer Rattler threw for slightly more yards (240 vs. 221), Baker Mayfield’s two passing touchdowns, 68 rushing yards, and higher passer rating (93.4 vs. 85.4) gave him the statistical edge, especially considering his impact on the game’s outcome.
What record did Mike Evans tie in this game?
Mike Evans reached 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th consecutive season, tying Jerry Rice’s NFL record for most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Who led the Buccaneers in rushing yards against the Saints?
Rookie Bucky Irving led with 89 yards on 19 carries and scored the game-sealing touchdown. Baker Mayfield added a career-high 68 rushing yards, including a critical 28-yard scramble.
Why did the Saints struggle offensively in the second half?
After scoring on their first four possessions, the Saints managed just 3 points in the second half due to Tampa Bay’s defensive adjustments, their own inefficiency on third downs (converting just 23.1%), and the absence of their top two running backs limiting their offensive options.
What was the most crucial statistical advantage for Tampa Bay?
Third-down efficiency proved decisive, with Tampa Bay converting 62.5% (10/16) compared to New Orleans’ 23.1% (3/13). This disparity allowed the Buccaneers to control time of possession (32:16 vs. 27:44) and build their second-half comeback.
Significance of These Player Stats
The tampa bay buccaneers vs new orleans saints match player stats from this Week 18 showdown reveal more than simple numbers.
Baker Mayfield’s career-high rushing total, Mike Evans reaching his historic milestone, and Jalen McMillan scoring in his fifth straight game all contributed to Tampa Bay’s fourth consecutive division title.
For the Saints, despite solid individual efforts from Spencer Rattler and Juwan Johnson, their inability to sustain drives or establish a rushing attack ultimately prevented them from playing spoiler in this division-deciding contest.
These player stats perfectly capture how Tampa Bay found championship form at exactly the right moment, turning a 10-point halftime deficit into an 8-point victory that secured their playoff spot and continued their recent dominance over their NFC South rivals.
