- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,128,748
- Reaction score
- 59
The rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been somewhat one-sided. The Saints hold a 10+ game lead all-time in the series, but in recent years, the NFC South has become much more competitive.
Entering 2026, the series is coming off a split 2025 campaign in which both home teams failed to defend their own turf. Tampa Bay dominated the Saints in the Superdome 23-3, but the Saints surprised with a rain-soaked 24-20 win in Tampa Bay in Week 14.
The most haunting memory for the Saints from this series remains the 2020 NFC Divisional Round, where Tampa Bay ended Drew Brees’ legendary career en route to their Super Bowl title. The loss left a sour taste in the mouths of the organization's members.
Game 1
Game 2
Record: Saints lead 41-28.
The Saints beat the Buccaneers in December, a game that sparked the four-game winning streak that New Orleans rode late in the season. What was widely considered the “breakout” game for Tyler Shough, the rookie quarterback, rushed for two touchdowns, including one in the fourth quarter that would give New Orleans the lead for good.
Saints wide receiver Trey Palmer was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He was waived in training camp last season and claimed by New Orleans a day later. Palmer didn’t record any snaps in 2025 in what was an injury-ridden season. He now looks to make an impact on a Saints’ offense that could use a spark from their third-and fourth receivers.
Alex Anzalone signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. He was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Saints and spent four seasons in New Orleans before signing with the Detroit Lions.
Both teams have one thing in common: offensive weapons. Tampa Bay has been known to have plenty of offensive firepower over the past several seasons, but a new-look Saints offense features first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, free-agent addition Travis Etienne Jr., and several other weapons. The games should be won and lost in the red zone, where Tampa Bay struggled last season. If Kellen Moore can get creative when New Orleans enters the red zone, utilizing Shough’s mobility and the physical frame of Juwan Johnson, capitalizing in short-field situations could be the story of the matchups.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing upcoming Buccaneers rivalry games
Continue reading...
Entering 2026, the series is coming off a split 2025 campaign in which both home teams failed to defend their own turf. Tampa Bay dominated the Saints in the Superdome 23-3, but the Saints surprised with a rain-soaked 24-20 win in Tampa Bay in Week 14.
The most haunting memory for the Saints from this series remains the 2020 NFC Divisional Round, where Tampa Bay ended Drew Brees’ legendary career en route to their Super Bowl title. The loss left a sour taste in the mouths of the organization's members.
Upcoming games in Saints vs. Buccaneers
Game 1
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 20 at Noon CT in Week 15
- Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
Game 2
- Date: TBD in Week 18
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, La.)
Record: Saints lead 41-28.
Last meeting in Saints vs. Buccaneers
- Saints won 24-20 on Dec. 7, 2025.
The Saints beat the Buccaneers in December, a game that sparked the four-game winning streak that New Orleans rode late in the season. What was widely considered the “breakout” game for Tyler Shough, the rookie quarterback, rushed for two touchdowns, including one in the fourth quarter that would give New Orleans the lead for good.
Common connections in Saints vs. Buccaneers
Saints wide receiver Trey Palmer was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He was waived in training camp last season and claimed by New Orleans a day later. Palmer didn’t record any snaps in 2025 in what was an injury-ridden season. He now looks to make an impact on a Saints’ offense that could use a spark from their third-and fourth receivers.
Alex Anzalone signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. He was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Saints and spent four seasons in New Orleans before signing with the Detroit Lions.
Notable changes since the last meeting in Saints vs. Buccaneers
- The Buccaneers will be without Mike Evans on their roster for the first time since the 2013 season, something that the Saints certainly won’t complain about. Emeka Egbuka is expected to take a step up as he enters Year 2, and Tampa Bay is eying to fill the void that Evans’ absence leaves with rookie wideout Ted Hurst.
- Tampa Bay enters the 2026 season with a new offensive coordinator in former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. He’ll be a familiar face and scheme for the Saints, but it’ll be interesting to see how the Buccaneers use all of their young weapons.
- The Buccaneers re-signed their tight end, Cade Otton, this offseason, rewarding him with a three-year contract extension worth $30 million. While their backfield lost Rachaad White, Tampa Bay signed former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year, $14 milllion deal to replace him.
- On the defensive end, the Buccaneers drafted former Miami standouts Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott, as well as selecting Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round. Trotter’s father, Jeremiah Trotter, played in the NFL for 12 seasons.
Both teams have one thing in common: offensive weapons. Tampa Bay has been known to have plenty of offensive firepower over the past several seasons, but a new-look Saints offense features first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, free-agent addition Travis Etienne Jr., and several other weapons. The games should be won and lost in the red zone, where Tampa Bay struggled last season. If Kellen Moore can get creative when New Orleans enters the red zone, utilizing Shough’s mobility and the physical frame of Juwan Johnson, capitalizing in short-field situations could be the story of the matchups.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing upcoming Buccaneers rivalry games
Continue reading...
