The Saints just pulled out a 24–20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and it wasn’t pretty. But it was real. A gritty, gutsy performance headlined by Tyler Shough that gives fans and analysts a reason to at least talk about hope again. Reuters
What Went Right
- Shough made plays when it mattered. He rushed for 55 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns — including a clutch 34-yard run after a turnover that flipped momentum. Reuters
- Balanced attack under pressure. On a rain-soaked field, with the storms and sloppy conditions, the Saints found a way to move the ball — and finish drives when it counted.
- Defense and opportunistic turnovers. A key takeaway late opened the door, and the Saints converted. That kind of situational awareness and execution matters in close games.
- This win might shift the narrative. For a season that’s been mostly lost, this feels like a moment. A moment where the young guys — especially Shough — show they deserve to be given a longer look.
What Still Needs Work / What Worries Me
- Passing game still inconsistent. The 144 passing yards were fine for a ground-heavy win, but if opponents stack the box, this offense still looks limited. Reuters
- Reliability under pressure. The Saints needed to capitalize on turnovers and momentum — but that doesn’t always happen. They’ll need to show they can do it again, under tougher conditions.
- Is this repeatable or just a one-off spark? One win doesn’t erase the season’s mistakes or failures. The consistency still isn’t there.
- Defense can’t carry every week. Eventually other teams will figure out how to beat the pressure and the ground attack — Saints still need a more balanced offense to survive that.
What This Means Going Forward
This win isn’t a turnaround — but it could be the beginning of one. If Shough keeps growing, the offense finds balance, and the defense stays opportunistic, the Saints might be building toward something.
But make no mistake: this is still a long road. The record doesn’t change overnight. The execution has to improve. The mistakes have to stop.
If this win ends up being a blip — a rare good day — it won’t matter. But if it’s part of a pattern, then fans might finally have something real to root for again.