After a demoralizing loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to rebound against the New Orleans Saints before heading into their bye week.
The two teams share one of the NFL’s most heated rivalries, and Baker Mayfield hasn’t been shy about how he feels. Both he and general manager Jason Licht have openly said they hate the Saints.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Week 8 matchup, Mayfield was brutally honest about why he personally dislikes New Orleans so much.
“Hasn't exactly been clean play from their part when we play 'em. It’s a physical game, it is what it is,” Mayfield told reporters. “You expect it, they’re a division rival. Not much else to say besides the fact that I don't like 'em."
A video shared to X by WTSP's Evan Closky provides some context toward Mayfield’s comments, showcasing two late penalized hits Mayfield took against New Orleans in his first season with the team, both resulting in injuries.
If you need a reminder why Baker Mayfield hates the New Orleans Saints, he was injured twice against this team in 2023, his first with Tampa Bay.
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) October 22, 2025
Both of the hits were late, cheap shots (and flagged accordingly). pic.twitter.com/ARicc21WmJ
Those aren’t the only dirty hits New Orleans has laid on Tampa Bay plays, either. In 2021, Chris Godwin was hit egregiously low by Saints safety P.J. Williams, leading to a season-ending torn ACL and MCL
Later in that same game, Williams dove at Rob Gronkowski’s knees, drawing a furious reaction from the veteran tight end. Afterward, Tom Brady publicly called for the NFL to ban low hits on defenseless receivers.
PJ Williams is a dirty player and should be fined. Not only was he going for Chris Godwin's knee on the hit that ended his season, he also tried to kneecap Gronk in the 2nd half of the game on SNF. Gronk slowed down just in time thank goodness 🙏🏻 #Bucsfilm2021wk15 #BanPJWilliams pic.twitter.com/ozK1kFgPeA
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) December 22, 2021
The best thing Mayfield can do now is channel that hatred into his play and lead the Buccaneers to a much-needed win. He’s always thrived when playing with a chip on his shoulder, and this week gives him the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Mayfield is coming off arguably his worst game as a Buccaneer, missing countless open throws against Detroit and looking uncomfortable all night — a far cry from the MVP-caliber level he’s played at for much of the season. Facing a 1-6 Saints team could be just what Mayfield and the Bucs need to get back on track.
Since joining Tampa Bay in 2023, Mayfield is 3-1 against New Orleans. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns in those four games but has also turned the ball over at an alarming rate with seven interceptions. Limiting turnovers will be key this time around, especially against a stingy Saints defense that has already forced nine takeaways this season.
For Tampa Bay, keeping composure and avoiding injuries will be crucial. The Bucs have been among the league’s most banged-up teams, and they can’t afford any more setbacks in a physical rivalry game like this.
If Mayfield and the Buccaneers can stay healthy and handle business in New Orleans, they’ll head into the bye week 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the NFC South, which would be a massive win for Tampa Bay.