With Spencer Rattler becoming the first rookie quarterback to start a game for the New Orleans Saints since 1974, the young signal-caller’s play style combined with big plays on special teams and defense put the Saints up at halftime over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the magic wore off in the second half as Tampa Bay left Caesar’s Superdome with a 51-27 win on Sunday afternoon.
In front of over 70,000 fans, the Saints quickly fell behind in the first quarter as Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers were clicking on all cylinders. The veteran quarterback found Chris Godwin in the end zone from four yards out before Antoine Winfield, Jr., returned a New Orleans fumble 58 yards for the score. A field goal from Chase McLaughlin closed out the quarter as Tampa Bay led 17-0.
A wild second quarter started with New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe connecting from 42 yards out to get New Orleans on the scoreboard. With Tampa Bay being forced to punt on the very next possession, Rasheed Shaheed returned the kick for a 54-yard touchdown to make it a 17-10 game.
HOLY SHID! 🔥
Rashid takes the punt return 54 yards for the SAINTS TOUCHDOWN 🙌#TBvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/4Fu7UYFDe9
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 13, 2024
The next three possessions for New Orleans were all scores, including Rattler’s first career touchdown. The defense managed to pick Mayfield off three times in the quarter to claim the early comeback.
Rookie to Rookie: Spencer Rattler connects with Bub Means for the 10-yard TD – #SAINTS TAKE THE LEAD!#TBvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/kQl2PGuSXL
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 13, 2024
Tampa Bay did find some life at the end of the half with Mayfield connecting with running back Sean Tucker on a 36-yard score. After two quarters of play, the Saints were up 27-24 and the Superdome was rocking.
Fans eventually left their seats for good, though, as New Orleans imploded in the second half. Another Godwin touchdown – this time from 55 yards out – kickstarted what would be 27 unanswered points for Mayfield and company to secure a 51-27 victory over an NFC South rival.
Wrong side of history
Not only did Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay extend New Orleans’ losing streak to four, but it put Dennis Allen’s team on the wrong side of history.
Even though the defense forced three turnovers in the second quarter, the rest of the contest consisted of the Buccaneers racking up gaudy stats and highlight-reel plays to become just the fifth NFL team to have 300 yards passing and 275 yards rushing in a game. Tampa Bay’s 594 total yards were the second-most ever given up by the Saints.
“Our tackling was atrocious, and it kind of snowballed on us,” Allen said. “We did not tackle in this game. When it comes to the defense, that is on me. That needs to be an area we can count on.”
Rattler’s debut ruined
The loss against Tampa Bay blemished quarterback Spencer Rattler’s NFL debut as the South Carolina alum became the first Saints rookie since Larry Cipa to start a game behind center.
Rattler, who was intercepted twice during the contest, finished 22 of 40 for 243 yards and a touchdown pass to fellow rookie Bub Means. Even with a couple of costly mistakes, Rattler provided electricity at times. Head coach Dennis Allen hopes the rookie can build off his first game and help the team turn it around before starting quarterback Derek Carr returns in an estimated three to four weeks.
“There were some encouraging things, some things that he’s going to learn from,” Allen said, noting that a sputtering run game and defensive lapses in the second half made Rattler’s job that much harder. “I don’t think we did enough around him to help him.”
The offensive line allowed Rattler to be sacked five times as running backs only accounted for 52 yards.
Next up
With Allen confirming that Rattler would start his second consecutive game, the Saints will host the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime.
