NEW ORLEANS, LA (SNN-TV) – In a heartbreaker against their division rival, a late pick-six thrown by Tom Brady with 1:24 left, helped New Orleans seal an eventful, but potentially costly, 36-27 victory.
The Buccaneers flirted on both sides of the fence on Sunday, initially finding themselves trailing 23-7 after the opening possession of the second half.
The Bucs nearly overcame their mistakes. They wiped out a 16-point second-half deficit and took a lead with 5:44 to go on a Tom Brady touchdown pass to Cyril Grayson.
Prior to that comeback, the Saints lost their starting QB and former Buc, Jameis Winston when he torn his ACL and MCL on a second quarter scramble.
Backup Trevor Siemian took over for Winston and completed 16 of 29 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown without a turnover, leading the Saints on five scoring drives that produced two touchdowns and three field goals.
Brady passed for four TDs, but also turned the ball over three times on a pair of interceptions and a fumble, which the Saints converted into 16 points.
Brady passed for four TDs, but also turned the ball over three times on a pair of interceptions and a fumble, which the Saints converted into 16 points.
Bruce Arians points out the obvious as to why the Bucs lost this game, turnovers and penalties. “Strictly the offense turning the ball over. That and penalties. Both times down there, we turned it over 3 times. You’re not going to beat those guys down there with the number of turnovers and penalties (we had), that’s all we talked about all week going into the game.”
The loss does come at an opportune time right before the BYE week. The Bucs will be back in action on the road November 14th in Washington, D.C to take on the Football Team.
