New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) drops a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-3. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
The New Orleans Saints travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at noon on Sunday in an NFC South battle between the division’s first- and last-place teams. You can follow here for the score and live updates.
The Bucs roll in with a record of 7-5, needing a win to stay atop the standings, while the Saints are 2-10. Tyler Shough will make his fifth NFL start at quarterback for the Saints, looking for his second win.Â
Running back Alvin Kamara is unavailable for the Saints because of an injury he suffered two weeks ago against the Atlanta Falcons, as are fellow starters Justin Reid at safety and Taliese Fuaga at right tackle. Terrell Burgess will fill in at safety, with Asim Richards likely playing tackle.
Follow below for the latest from Tampa.
Pregame updates
UPDATED, 11:06 a.m.: Week 14 of the NFL season is upon us, and for the New Orleans Saints that means a chance to play spoiler. Four weeks ago, they went to Carolina and toppled the Panthers, and that’s the only thing separating Carolina from Tampa Bay atop the NFC South standings.
Now they’ll try to return the favor to the Panthers by beating the Bucs. It won’t be easy. Tampa Bay throttled the Saints 23-3 back in Week 8 in the game that was Tyler Shough’s meaningful debut at quarterback. He replaced Spencer Rattler early in the second half and couldn’t do much to rally the team already faced with a big deficit.
He’ll get another chance today in a place the Saints traditionally have played well, but they’ll have to do it today without three starters. Running back Alvin Kamara, right tackle Taliese Fuaga and safety Justin Reid were all listed as inactive today, meaning backups will be manning key positions for New Orleans.
Tampa Bay has also had its fair share of injuries, and it’s hard to say whether the Bucs are healthier than they were in the teams’ first meeting. Running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin are back in action, but quarterback Baker Mayfield is nursing a sore shoulder and standout left tackle Tristan Wirfs is out. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison is inactive as well, and receiver Mike Evans hasn’t returned from injured reserve.
It’ll be a battle of attrition.