new orleans saints vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats
The new orleans saints vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats from January 5, 2025 tell a much more detailed story than the final score alone. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-19 in a regular season matchup that was shaped by a strong second-half response, efficient passing from Baker Mayfield, productive rushing from Bucky Irving, and a Saints offense that moved the ball through the air but struggled to generate enough rushing production. The Saints led 19-13 entering the fourth quarter, but Tampa Bay scored 14 unanswered points in the final period to complete the comeback.
This game is particularly useful to study because the statistical difference between the teams was not simply about quarterback play. New Orleans produced 240 passing yards, the same number as its total receiving yardage, but managed only 64 rushing yards. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, produced 221 passing yards and added 179 rushing yards. That 115-yard advantage on the ground gave the Buccaneers a much stronger overall offensive balance.
For readers looking beyond the box score, the individual numbers explain how the game changed. Baker Mayfield finished with 221 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while Bucky Irving ran for 89 yards and a touchdown. Mike Evans was heavily involved with nine receptions for 89 yards on 14 targets. For New Orleans, Spencer Rattler threw for 240 yards and one touchdown without an interception, while Juwan Johnson led the Saints with 80 receiving yards.
New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
The matchup took place on January 5, 2025, with Tampa Bay entering the game at 9-7 and ultimately finishing the regular season 10-7 after the victory. New Orleans entered at 5-11 and finished 5-12.
The Buccaneers were playing at home, and the final score was:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, New Orleans Saints 19
The quarter-by-quarter scoring shows why the result was so dramatic:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
The Saints had the better scoring performance through the first three quarters. They scored 19 points compared with Tampa Bay’s 13 during that span.
The fourth quarter completely changed the outcome.
Tampa Bay scored 14 points in the final quarter while New Orleans was held scoreless. That fourth-quarter reversal is one of the most important statistical details when evaluating this matchup.
Quarter-by-Quarter Game Breakdown
First Quarter
The opening quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring three points.
New Orleans did not immediately establish a dominant offensive rhythm, but the Saints stayed within striking distance. Tampa Bay also failed to create an early separation.
The 3-3 opening suggested a competitive game, and the later statistics confirmed that neither team was going to dominate from the opening whistle.
Second Quarter
The Saints found more offensive success in the second quarter, scoring 13 points while Tampa Bay managed only three.
That scoring burst gave New Orleans a 16-6 halftime advantage.
Spencer Rattler’s passing production was important during this stretch. He eventually completed 26 of 42 attempts for 240 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. He also threw one touchdown and avoided an interception.
Despite those positive numbers, New Orleans could not consistently supplement its passing attack with rushing production.
Third Quarter
Tampa Bay began to recover in the third quarter.
The Buccaneers scored seven points, while New Orleans added three. That reduced the Saints’ advantage and created a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter.
At this point, the game was still very much in New Orleans’ favor on the scoreboard, but Tampa Bay’s stronger rushing numbers were becoming increasingly important.
Fourth Quarter
The decisive statistical story came in the final 15 minutes.
Tampa Bay scored 14 points.
New Orleans scored zero.
That was enough to turn a 19-13 Saints advantage into a 27-19 Buccaneers victory.
For a matchup that had been relatively balanced for much of the afternoon, the fourth quarter represented a complete change in momentum. Tampa Bay’s offense finished the game with 179 rushing yards, and Bucky Irving was one of the main reasons the Buccaneers were able to sustain their offensive pressure.
Spencer Rattler’s Passing Performance
Spencer Rattler was the Saints’ leading passer and finished with:
| Statistic | Spencer Rattler |
| Completions | 26 |
| Attempts | 42 |
| Completion Rate | 61.9% |
| Passing Yards | 240 |
| Yards per Attempt | 5.7 |
| Passing TDs | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| Sack Yards | 12 |
| QBR | 53.9 |
| Passer Rating | 85.4 |
The most encouraging part of Rattler’s performance was his ability to protect the football through the air. He threw one touchdown without an interception.
He also completed 26 passes, which shows that New Orleans was able to maintain a consistent short and intermediate passing game.
However, the 5.7-yard average per attempt indicates that the Saints were not consistently producing explosive passing plays. The offense needed more efficiency from the running game to complement those completions.
Rattler also carried the ball once for 11 yards. That was a small contribution statistically, but it was actually the longest rushing gain among the Saints’ listed primary rushing contributors.
The bigger issue was not simply Rattler’s passing line. It was the lack of balance around him.
Baker Mayfield’s Passing Performance
Baker Mayfield delivered an efficient performance that became more valuable as the game progressed.
| Statistic | Baker Mayfield |
| Completions | 21 |
| Attempts | 32 |
| Completion Rate | 65.6% |
| Passing Yards | 221 |
| Yards per Attempt | 6.9 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Sack Yards | 5 |
| QBR | 90.0 |
| Passer Rating | 93.4 |
Mayfield completed fewer passes than Rattler and finished with 19 fewer passing yards. Yet his efficiency was stronger.
His 6.9 yards per attempt compared with Rattler’s 5.7, and he threw two touchdown passes.
The one interception prevented the performance from being completely clean, but the overall quarterback numbers show why Tampa Bay’s offense was able to finish the game effectively.
Another important detail is that Mayfield added 68 rushing yards on nine carries. That is a major contribution for a quarterback and helped Tampa Bay produce 179 total rushing yards.
His rushing line was:
9 carries, 68 yards, 7.6 yards per carry, 0 touchdowns, 28-yard long
That 28-yard run was Tampa Bay’s longest listed rushing play of the game.
Bucky Irving Was a Major Difference Maker
Bucky Irving produced one of the most important individual performances of the matchup.
His rushing numbers were:
| Statistic | Bucky Irving |
| Carries | 19 |
| Rushing Yards | 89 |
| Average | 4.7 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Longest Run | 25 yards |
Irving’s 89 rushing yards represented almost half of Tampa Bay’s 179 rushing yards.
His touchdown also gave the Buccaneers an important scoring source beyond the passing game.
One particularly useful way to evaluate his performance is to compare his rushing production with the Saints’ entire rushing output.
New Orleans finished with 64 team rushing yards.
Irving alone produced 89 yards.
That means Irving gained 25 more rushing yards than the entire Saints rushing attack.
That is a significant statistical advantage.
Irving also caught two passes, although those receptions resulted in minus-five receiving yards. His biggest influence clearly came on the ground.
Saints Running Game Struggled to Develop
The Saints finished with only 64 rushing yards on 19 carries, an average of 3.4 yards per attempt.
Their leading listed rushing contributors were:
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | 8 | 26 | 3.3 | 0 | 12 |
| Jamaal Williams | 8 | 15 | 1.9 | 0 | 6 |
| Jordan Mims | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Spencer Rattler | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 |
The lack of a rushing touchdown is also important.
New Orleans scored 19 points, but none came from its rushing attack.
The Saints therefore depended heavily on passing and field goals to keep the scoreboard moving.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the team in rushing with 26 yards, but that figure is modest for an entire team over a full game.
Jamaal Williams carried eight times for only 15 yards, averaging 1.9 yards per carry.
That contrast with Tampa Bay’s rushing production helps explain the late-game outcome.
Tampa Bay’s Rushing Advantage
The Buccaneers ran the ball 31 times for 179 yards.
That produced an impressive 5.8 yards per carry.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Bucky Irving | 19 | 89 | 4.7 | 1 | 25 |
| Baker Mayfield | 9 | 68 | 7.6 | 0 | 28 |
| Sean Tucker | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Jalen McMillan | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
There are two things worth noticing.
First, Irving supplied volume and consistency.
Second, Mayfield supplied explosive rushing production.
The quarterback’s 68 rushing yards were only 21 yards fewer than Irving’s total. That is unusual enough to deserve attention when analyzing the game.
Tampa Bay’s running game was not dependent on one player.
That balance helped the Buccaneers remain effective even though New Orleans finished with more passing yards.
Juwan Johnson Led New Orleans Receivers
Juwan Johnson was the Saints’ leading receiver.
He recorded:
6 receptions, 80 yards, 13.3 yards per reception, 0 touchdowns, 26-yard long, 7 targets
His 80 receiving yards accounted for one-third of New Orleans’ 240 receiving yards.
Johnson also provided one of the Saints’ biggest explosive plays, with a 26-yard reception.
The Saints’ other notable receiving performances included:
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
| Juwan Johnson | 6 | 80 | 13.3 | 0 | 26 | 7 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 20 | 8 |
| Foster Moreau | 4 | 31 | 7.8 | 0 | 11 | Not listed |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | 3 | 22 | 7.3 | 0 | 11 | Not listed |
| Dante Pettis | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 1 | 11 | Not listed |
Dante Pettis was particularly important because he recorded the Saints’ only listed receiving touchdown.
That touchdown helped New Orleans maintain its lead during the game, but the offense could not find another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Mike Evans Was Tampa Bay’s Primary Receiving Weapon
Mike Evans was heavily involved in Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
His line was:
9 receptions, 89 yards, 9.9 yards per reception, 0 touchdowns, 14-yard long, 14 targets
The 14 targets were the highest listed total for any Buccaneers receiver.
That tells us something about how Tampa Bay used Evans.
He was not simply a deep-threat player in this matchup. His nine receptions indicate sustained involvement in the passing game.
Evans accounted for 89 of Tampa Bay’s 221 receiving yards.
That was slightly more than 40 percent of the team’s receiving yardage.
The Buccaneers also received valuable production from Jalen McMillan, who finished with:
5 receptions, 74 yards, 14.8 yards per reception, 1 touchdown, 33-yard long
McMillan’s 33-yard reception was the longest listed reception for either team.
That combination of volume from Evans and explosiveness from McMillan gave Tampa Bay two different receiving profiles.
Tampa Bay’s Other Receiving Contributions
The Buccaneers’ complete listed receiving production included:
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Mike Evans | 9 | 89 | 9.9 | 0 | 14 |
| Jalen McMillan | 5 | 74 | 14.8 | 1 | 33 |
| Devin Culp | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 0 | 20 |
| Payne Durham | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 1 | 10 |
| Sterling Shepard | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Bucky Irving | 2 | -5 | -2.5 | 0 | Not listed |
Tampa Bay finished with 21 receptions for 221 yards, an average of 10.5 yards per reception, and two receiving touchdowns.
That 10.5-yard average was higher than New Orleans’ 9.2-yard receiving average.
So although New Orleans accumulated more total passing yards, Tampa Bay generated more yards per completed reception.
Defensive Player Stats
Offensive numbers often dominate discussions about a game, but the defensive statistics help explain why the scoring remained relatively controlled for three quarters.
New Orleans recorded:
60 tackles, 48 solo tackles, 1 sack, 6 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended and 1 quarterback hit.
Tampa Bay recorded:
61 tackles, 41 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended and 6 quarterback hits.
The Buccaneers therefore produced one additional total tackle, one more sack, one additional tackle for loss, and five more quarterback hits.
Those quarterback hits are especially notable.
Tampa Bay recorded six quarterback hits against Rattler, compared with only one quarterback hit by New Orleans against Mayfield.
That suggests the Buccaneers were able to create more disruption around the quarterback, even though Rattler still avoided an interception.
Demario Davis Led the Saints Defense
Demario Davis was New Orleans’ leading listed defensive player.
His statistics were:
| Statistic | Demario Davis |
| Total Tackles | 9 |
| Solo Tackles | 6 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| Tackles for Loss | 0 |
| Passes Defended | 1 |
Davis was active throughout the game and finished with nine tackles.
His six solo tackles represented a large portion of his total.
However, New Orleans did not generate enough negative plays to consistently stop Tampa Bay’s offense late in the game.
Josh Hayes Led Tampa Bay in Tackles
Josh Hayes recorded the most tackles for the Buccaneers:
12 tackles, 10 solo tackles, 0 sacks
His 12 total tackles were the highest individual tackle total listed for either team.
Lavonte David also had a productive defensive game:
9 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended
The Buccaneers also received pass-rush contributions from Yaya Diaby and Vita Vea.
Diaby recorded five tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits.
Vea recorded three tackles, one solo tackle, one sack and one quarterback hit.
Those plays were important because Tampa Bay’s defensive pressure was significantly higher than New Orleans’ pressure production.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Turnovers can quickly change an NFL game, and this matchup produced a relatively limited turnover total.
New Orleans recorded one interception through Jordan Howden.
Howden’s interception was credited for three return yards and no touchdown.
The Buccaneers did not record an interception.
Tampa Bay had one listed fumble involving Jack Browning, but it was not lost and was recovered by Tampa Bay.
The Saints had no listed fumbles.
This means the Saints finished with the only defensive interception, yet Tampa Bay still won.
That is a useful reminder that turnover margin alone does not always explain the result.
The Buccaneers overcame their interception by producing considerably more rushing yardage and creating more quarterback pressure.
Kicking Performance
Blake Grupe was perfect for New Orleans.
He made:
4 of 4 field goals
His longest field goal was 49 yards.
He also made his only extra-point attempt, finishing with 13 total points.
Chase McLaughlin was also perfect on field goals, going 2 for 2.
His longest field goal was 52 yards.
He made all three extra-point attempts and scored nine points.
The kicking numbers show that both teams received reliable place-kicking production.
The difference came elsewhere.
New Orleans converted four field goals, which helped explain why the Saints were able to reach 19 points despite scoring only one listed offensive touchdown through the air.
Tampa Bay scored more touchdowns and ultimately needed fewer field goals to reach 27.
Special Teams Statistics
Special teams were not the primary story of the game, but several numbers stand out.
Sean Tucker led Tampa Bay in kick returns:
3 returns, 88 yards, 29.3-yard average, 36-yard long
Dante Pettis returned one punt for nine yards for New Orleans.
Trey Palmer recorded one punt return for Tampa Bay for zero yards.
The punting statistics were:
| Player | Team | Punts | Yards | Average | Inside 20 | Long |
| Matthew Hayball | Saints | 3 | 131 | 43.7 | 2 | 51 |
| Jack Browning | Buccaneers | 2 | 66 | 33.0 | 0 | 52 |
Hayball had the larger workload and higher average.
His two punts inside the 20 also indicate that New Orleans was able to use field position effectively on those possessions.
Still, Tampa Bay’s overall offensive production eventually outweighed the Saints’ special-teams advantages.
What the Team Totals Reveal
The most useful comparison is not one individual player. It is the relationship between the major team statistics.
| Category | Saints | Buccaneers |
| Passing Yards | 240 | 221 |
| Rushing Yards | 64 | 179 |
| Total Receiving Yards | 240 | 221 |
| Rushing Attempts | 19 | 31 |
| Rushing Average | 3.4 | 5.8 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 2 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks Allowed | 2 | 1 |
| Defensive Sacks | 1 | 2 |
| QB Hits | 1 | 6 |
| Passes Defended | 6 | 6 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Final Score | 19 | 27 |
The biggest difference is immediately visible.
New Orleans won the passing-yardage comparison by 19 yards.
Tampa Bay won the rushing-yardage comparison by 115 yards.
That is the statistical foundation of the game.
The Buccaneers also scored three offensive touchdowns compared with one for the Saints based on the listed passing and rushing statistics.
Why the Final Score Does Not Tell the Whole Story
A casual look at the final score might suggest Tampa Bay simply controlled the game.
The quarter scores show something different.
New Orleans led for much of the contest and entered the fourth quarter ahead 19-13.
The Saints also had more passing yards and recorded the game’s only interception.
Yet Tampa Bay won by eight points.
Why?
The answer is offensive balance and late-game execution.
The Buccaneers ran for 179 yards compared with 64 for New Orleans. They also produced 31 rushing attempts compared with 19.
That difference matters because rushing production can help maintain possession, create manageable situations and reduce pressure on the passing game.
Mayfield’s 68 rushing yards added another dimension.
The Buccaneers also generated six quarterback hits and two sacks on defense.
New Orleans had only one quarterback hit.
The combined effect was significant.
Tampa Bay could attack with its running game, use Mayfield’s mobility, target Evans heavily and still create pressure defensively.
New Orleans had a more pass-dependent statistical profile.
The Fourth Quarter Was the Defining Phase
The fourth-quarter numbers deserve special attention because they explain the final result better than almost any individual stat.
The Saints entered the fourth quarter with 19 points.
They finished with 19.
The Buccaneers entered the quarter with 13 points.
They finished with 27.
That means Tampa Bay outscored New Orleans 14-0 in the final quarter.
This was not a small statistical swing.
It was the entire eight-point final margin.
The lesson for anyone analyzing this matchup is simple: the late-game situation matters as much as the cumulative numbers.
New Orleans had enough offensive production to lead for most of the game, but it could not sustain that production when Tampa Bay increased its pressure and offensive efficiency.
Passing Efficiency vs. Rushing Efficiency
One of the most interesting comparisons is that New Orleans actually produced more passing yards than Tampa Bay.
Rattler:
240 passing yards
Mayfield:
221 passing yards
Yet Mayfield’s team won.
The reason is that passing yards are only one component of offensive efficiency.
Tampa Bay averaged 6.9 yards per passing attempt compared with 5.7 for New Orleans.
The Buccaneers also had 179 rushing yards.
So Tampa Bay’s offensive profile was more balanced.
The Saints had 240 passing yards but only 64 rushing yards.
When a team has to rely heavily on passing production, it can become harder to maintain offensive consistency when the defense creates pressure or when the running game fails to generate first downs.
That pattern is visible in this game.
A Closer Look at Explosive Plays
Explosive plays can change the direction of an NFL game quickly.
For Tampa Bay, the longest listed reception was Jalen McMillan’s 33-yard catch.
Bucky Irving had a 25-yard run.
Mayfield had a 28-yard rush.
Mike Evans’ longest reception was 14 yards, but his 14 targets and nine catches show that he was used as a consistent possession target rather than relying only on deep passes.
For New Orleans, Juwan Johnson produced a 26-yard reception.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s longest run was 12 yards.
Rattler’s longest rushing play was 11 yards.
The comparison suggests that Tampa Bay had more ways to create large gains.
New Orleans had some explosive passing production, but its rushing attack did not generate the same level of chunk plays.
How the Saints Could Have Changed the Statistical Outcome
Looking only at the numbers, several areas stand out.
Improve Rushing Efficiency
New Orleans averaged 3.4 yards per rushing attempt.
Tampa Bay averaged 5.8.
That difference is too large to ignore.
A stronger running game would have reduced the pressure on Rattler and given the Saints another way to control the game after building their lead.
Convert Passing Production Into More Touchdowns
Rattler threw for 240 yards and one touchdown.
The Saints moved the ball through the air, but much of their scoring came from field goals.
Blake Grupe made all four field-goal attempts, accounting for 13 points.
That is excellent kicking, but it also shows that the offense had opportunities to produce touchdowns rather than relying on three-point possessions.
Create More Defensive Pressure
New Orleans recorded one sack and one quarterback hit.
Tampa Bay recorded two sacks and six quarterback hits.
More consistent pressure on Mayfield could have made it harder for the Buccaneers to complete their fourth-quarter comeback.
How Tampa Bay Won Despite the Interception
Mayfield’s interception is worth mentioning because the Buccaneers still won comfortably enough to overcome it.
His passing line was productive:
21 completions on 32 attempts, 221 yards and two touchdowns.
The interception was the negative element.
But Tampa Bay’s rushing attack helped compensate.
The Buccaneers generated 179 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Mayfield himself added 68 rushing yards.
Bucky Irving added 89.
Together, Mayfield and Irving accounted for 157 rushing yards.
That is 87.7 percent of Tampa Bay’s 179 rushing yards.
This is one of the clearest examples of how two players can shape a team’s offensive identity in different ways.
Irving supplied the running-back workload.
Mayfield provided quarterback mobility and an explosive 28-yard run.
The Role of Mike Evans
Mike Evans’ 14 targets deserve attention even though he did not score a touchdown.
He caught nine passes for 89 yards.
That means he accounted for a large share of the Buccaneers’ completed passes and receiving yardage.
His performance also helped create opportunities for other Tampa Bay receivers.
Jalen McMillan’s five receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown were especially valuable because they provided a more explosive receiving threat.
The Buccaneers therefore did not need Evans to score a touchdown to make his involvement meaningful.
His volume kept the passing game moving.
The Role of Jalen McMillan
McMillan’s numbers were considerably smaller than Evans’ in terms of receptions, but his efficiency was higher.
He averaged 14.8 yards per reception.
His 33-yard catch was also the longest reception listed in the game.
He added a touchdown.
This is an excellent example of why a box score should not be evaluated solely by reception totals.
Evans provided volume.
McMillan provided efficiency and explosiveness.
Both were important to Tampa Bay’s fourth-quarter comeback.
What the Defensive Numbers Suggest
Tampa Bay’s defense did not completely shut down New Orleans.
The Saints still produced 240 passing yards.
However, the Buccaneers created more pressure.
Six quarterback hits compared with one is a major difference.
Two sacks compared with one also favored Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers recorded seven tackles for loss compared with six for New Orleans.
These numbers suggest a defense that was more disruptive even though the overall passing-yardage difference was not dramatic.
That distinction matters.
A defense can allow yards while still winning key downs through pressure, tackles for loss and disruption.
That appears to have been the case here.
New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The main lessons from the statistical record are clear.
- Tampa Bay’s rushing advantage was enormous.
The Buccaneers gained 179 rushing yards compared with 64 for New Orleans.
- Baker Mayfield was efficient enough through the air and dangerous on the ground.
He produced 221 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and 68 rushing yards.
- Bucky Irving supplied the primary ground-game production.
His 89 rushing yards and one touchdown were central to Tampa Bay’s offensive balance.
- Mike Evans was the volume leader in the passing game.
He caught nine passes on 14 targets for 89 yards.
- Spencer Rattler protected the ball through the air.
He threw one touchdown and no interceptions while passing for 240 yards.
- Juwan Johnson led the Saints’ receiving group.
His six receptions produced 80 yards.
- Tampa Bay created more defensive pressure.
The Buccaneers had six quarterback hits and two sacks, compared with one quarterback hit and one sack by New Orleans.
- The fourth quarter decided the game.
Tampa Bay scored 14 points while New Orleans scored none.
Statistical Comparison of the Quarterbacks
A direct quarterback comparison makes the result even more interesting.
| Category | Spencer Rattler | Baker Mayfield |
| Completions | 26 | 21 |
| Attempts | 42 | 32 |
| Completion Rate | 61.9% | 65.6% |
| Passing Yards | 240 | 221 |
| Yards per Attempt | 5.7 | 6.9 |
| TD Passes | 1 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks | 2 | 1 |
| QBR | 53.9 | 90.0 |
| Passer Rating | 85.4 | 93.4 |
| Rushing Yards | 11 | 68 |
Rattler had more passing yards and more completions.
Mayfield had the better completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown total, QBR and passer rating.
Mayfield also contributed dramatically more as a runner.
This is why simply comparing passing yards would give an incomplete picture.
What This Game Says About Offensive Balance
The most important broader lesson from this matchup is offensive balance.
New Orleans generated 240 passing yards but only 64 rushing yards.
Tampa Bay generated 221 passing yards and 179 rushing yards.
The Buccaneers’ total offensive yardage was therefore 400 yards based on the listed passing and rushing totals.
New Orleans produced 304 yards from those same categories.
That is a 96-yard total offensive advantage for Tampa Bay.
The Saints had the advantage through the air, but Tampa Bay dominated on the ground.
The overall numbers therefore favor the Buccaneers despite the Saints’ stronger passing total.
Final Assessment
The January 5, 2025 meeting between Tampa Bay and New Orleans was a game where the final score reflected late-game execution more than early dominance.
New Orleans built a 19-13 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Spencer Rattler delivered 240 passing yards and avoided an interception. Juwan Johnson led the receiving corps with 80 yards. Blake Grupe was perfect on four field-goal attempts.
But Tampa Bay had the stronger all-around statistical foundation.
Bucky Irving produced 89 rushing yards and a touchdown. Baker Mayfield added 68 rushing yards while throwing two touchdown passes. Mike Evans caught nine passes for 89 yards on 14 targets. Jalen McMillan added 74 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The Buccaneers also created substantially more quarterback pressure.
Most importantly, Tampa Bay finished the game strongly.
The fourth-quarter 14-0 scoring advantage transformed a six-point deficit into an eight-point victory.
The biggest statistical takeaway is therefore not simply that Tampa Bay scored 27 points.
It is that the Buccaneers found multiple ways to generate offense while New Orleans became increasingly dependent on its passing game.
For anyone studying the new orleans saints vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats, the matchup provides a useful example of why complete game analysis requires more than looking at the leading passer. The rushing disparity, quarterback mobility, receiving volume, defensive pressure and fourth-quarter scoring all played a role in determining the final result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Saints vs Buccaneers game on January 5, 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-19.
How many passing yards did Spencer Rattler have?
Spencer Rattler completed 26 of 42 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
How many passing touchdowns did Baker Mayfield throw?
Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and one interception while completing 21 of 32 passes for 221 yards.
Who led the game in rushing?
Bucky Irving led Tampa Bay with 89 rushing yards and one touchdown. Baker Mayfield also had 68 rushing yards.
Who was the Saints’ leading receiver?
Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with six receptions for 80 yards.
Who was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver?
Mike Evans led the Buccaneers with nine receptions for 89 yards on 14 targets.
Conclusion
The January 5, 2025 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers was decided by a combination of rushing efficiency, quarterback mobility, defensive pressure and fourth-quarter execution.
New Orleans had the more productive passing total, but Tampa Bay had a much stronger ground game. The Buccaneers’ 179 rushing yards compared with 64 from the Saints created the clearest statistical advantage of the game.
Baker Mayfield’s two passing touchdowns and 68 rushing yards gave Tampa Bay multiple ways to move the ball. Bucky Irving added 89 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Mike Evans supplied nine receptions for 89 yards. On the other side, Spencer Rattler passed for 240 yards without an interception, and Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with 80 receiving yards.
The defensive numbers also favored Tampa Bay in terms of disruption, particularly with six quarterback hits and two sacks.
Ultimately, the fourth quarter provided the clearest explanation for the 27-19 result. Tampa Bay scored 14 points in the final quarter while New Orleans failed to score. The game therefore stands as a strong example of how a team can trail for most of a contest yet win by producing better balance and execution when the game reaches its decisive stage.
