**
Game Ball**
For the Buccaneers, it was another impressive day for second-year QB Mike Glennon. Early in the game, a string of penalties and dropped passes made Glennon's numbers suffer, but he stuck with it and eventually threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 91.8-yard passer rating. Glennon threw accurately on the move several times, including the beautifully-improvised lob to WR Vincent Jackson that was good for 34 yards and set up the touchdown that put the Bucs up by 11. CB Alterraun Verner had a key interception near the end of regulation and several other important plays, LB Danny Lansanah had a pick-six and S Mark Barron made a series of critical pass-breakups early in the game. However, Drew Brees and the Saints' offense eventually piled up 37 points and 511 yards, so this week's game ball stays with Glennon.
Play of the Game
The Saints rallied for the final 11 points in regulation to send it to overtime, and the biggest play during that stretch was Pierre Thomas' tackle-braking 27-yard run with nine minutes left in the game. Had the Bucs held the Saints to a field goal at that point, the Saints would have been forced to try to get into the end zone with less than two minutes to play, rather than settling for a game-tying field goal by Shayne Graham.
Turning Point
Thomas' touchdown run was part of a fast-paced stretch in the third and fourth quarters in which each team scored a pair of touchdowns. The Bucs still had a five-point lead after Thomas' score and were operating on all cylinders on offense. Had they been able to once again mount a scoring drive, the Saints' comeback attempt likely would have come up short. Instead, a holding penalty, a botched snap, two more penalties and a sack turned the Bucs drive into two points for the Saints on Junior Galette's safety. That made it a three-point game and the Saints were able to tie it before the end of the fourth quarter.
It Was Over When
Only when Saints RB Khiry Robinson found a seam around left end and took his overtime run 18 yards all the way to the end zone. Until the Saints got a touchdown, the Bucs would have retained hope, since the modified overtime rules would have allowed them another possession after a field goal.
Photos from the second half of Buccaneers vs. Saints at the Superdome in New Orleans.
