The Saints would get the ball first in this one, and right away the Bucs defense showed their strength, forcing a punt.
The offense would go three-and-out however, and the Saints would take over at their own 40-yard line and quickly move into the red zone and on to the day's first points.
Great play by Barron to arrive with the ball and break up the play. — Leo (@LeoHowell8) October 5, 2014
The Bucs would take over and convert one third down before running into trouble on their next set.
The Saints second possession was headlined by TE Jimmy Graham.
Brees would aim at Graham two more times inside the red zone, both defended well by S Mark Barron. The stops would limit the Saints to just three points again.
Barron has been in Graham's back pocket all day. That's good coaching, IMO. — Leo (@LeoHowell8) October 5, 2014
Once again, the Bucs offense would be forced to punt, again giving the Saints the ball at the 40. With blanket coverage on Graham, the Saints moved the ball and found the end zone with other weapons.
And Tampa Bay would take over again, putting together their first big play, but an unfortunate end to the drive.
New Orleans would be forced to punt, but not before updated injury news rolled in.
The Bucs took over starting at the 43-yard line. We'll hand off to 620 WDAE's Tom Krasniqi to call the big plays on the drive.
And the Bucs are on the board.
We went to break for the two minute warning and came back to an important Bucs defensive sequence.
Bucs from the 40 and on the move with under 1:30 to go.
And with just 20 seconds left on the clock:
Saints take a knee and lead us into halftime.
The Buccaneers would take possession first and begin the half by getting a positive drive going.
Injury updates rolled in on some key Saints players.
And Twitter again takes over with the conclusion of the Bucs' opening drive.
Complete to V-Jax. Bucs at the Saints 10. First and goal. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
TD Bobby Rainey. Rainey Bobby. FIRE THE CANNONS!!!! What a Drive! — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
Down 17-13, New Orleans took over. Can you guess what happened based solely on some Bucs Twitter analysts less-descriptive tweets?:
The correct answer is:
The Tampa Bay defense stayed strong as Saints retake the field.
Mark Barron is EVERYWHERE! But Bucs get a holding call on LJ. First down Saints. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
But the Saints would continue to drive, and eventually find the end zone.
Tampa Bay's turn to answer and the offense is clicking again.
The Bucs were on the move at the end of third quarter. The would start the fourth quarter hot with 34-yard pass from Glennon to Jackson.
Leading to another score!
Despite decent pressure from the Buccaneers defense, the Saints offense remained composed and again marched up the field for another six points.
Trailing 31-26, New Orleans went for two.
Verner with the tackle. No good. Bucs lead 31-26. 9:28 left. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
Buccaneers' football, up five, back at their own 20-yard line with 9:28 left in the game.
After making up for their failed two point conversion miss, the Saints took the kick off with momentum and started driving instantly with a 19-yard completion and a first down to bring them to the Bucs' 28-yard line. But the defense, led by Lavonte David, would hold.
New Orleans successfully added another field goal. Tie game with 2:30 to go.
The Buccaneers would take over and begin to move down the field, but penalties again derailed the drive.
Saints will get the ball back. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
New Orleans would take over with the ball on their own 35 with just over a minute to play and only needing about 30 yards to get in field goal range.
First down to the 49. 35 seconds left. timeout Saints. — Rick Brown (@LedgeronBucs) October 5, 2014
Colston caught a pass down the middle of the field and lost the football, recovered by the Bucs, but the play was blown dead. Twitter was unappreciative.
However, two plays later…
And we're headed into overtime.
New Orleans had the ball first, needing a touchdown to win. A field goal would give the Bucs a chance to answer back.
With four first downs and two third-down conversions, the Saints moved into field goal range, but the game would end on a second-and-8.
