The Buccaneers’ upset loss to the Saints now has them tied for first in the NFC South with the Panthers. Julio Aguilar / Getty Images
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough scored two rushing touchdowns to fuel a 24-20 upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and create a logjam atop the NFC South standings.
The Bucs have lost five of their last seven games and are losing their grip on the NFC South lead. They are now tied with the Carolina Panthers, also 7-6 and on a bye this week, for first place in the division. The teams face each other twice in the final three weeks of the season.
After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, the Saints’ offense went cold in the first half. Shough was sacked three times and intercepted once as Tampa Bay gained a 10-7 lead at halftime.
But the momentum shifted in the second half, particularly after Shough ran 34 yards along the left sideline to score the Saints’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. Tampa Bay came back to tie it at 17 entering the fourth quarter, and Shough once again put his team on top with a 13-yard rushing score.
Shough, the Saints’ second-round pick who took over for Spencer Rattler after a 1-7 start, finished with seven carries for 55 yards and the two scores, his first career rushing touchdowns. He also completed 13 of his 20 passes for 144 yards.
The Saints’ rushing attack was also led by running back Devin Neal, who finished with 19 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield finished with a 46.7 percent completion rate, his lowest of the season.
The Saints (3-10) were gaining steam in the race for the No. 1 pick, but Sunday’s win brings their chances for the top pick down to less than 5 percent according to The Athletic’s NFL simulator.
Dec 7, 2025
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