Entering Week 14, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a difficult matchup on their hands. When the Buccaneers last dismantled the Saints in Week 8, Spencer Rattler started the 14th game of his career. When the game ended, the 2025 second-round rookie Tyler Shough got his first extended action in the NFL.
Since that game, Shough took over the starting quarterback role and never looked back. He leads all rookie quarterbacks in completion rate and has averaged nearly 250 passing yards per game through four starts. The Saints' lack of weapons certainly caps his potential, but his 5/3 TD/INT ratio is exciting for New Orleans fans.
This week, his hype peaked, with a compilation circulating X with millions of views of fantastic throws the rookie has made this season. NFL insider Ian Rapoport chimed in and seemed to enjoy the video, which sparked loads of controversy.
Tyler Shough propaganda pic.twitter.com/eVJblyQtft
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 3, 2025
However, Shough has been the subject of controversy ever since being selected 40th overall. He's a 26-year-old rookie out of Louisville, spent seven years in college, and never proved himself as a top quarterback in last year's class. Regardless, he climbed the boards, and the Saints took a chance.
In Week 14, this all affects the Bucs. Shough not only has mass hype entering this Sunday's showdown, but his play has spiked as well. Over the last three weeks, Shough has averaged 69% completion percentage, 254 passing yards per game, and owns a 4/2 TD/INT ratio.
Tampa Bay must stop the Shough-Olave connection
This season, the Bucs have struggled to stop the pass, particularly recently. Tampa Bay is 29th this season in passing yards allowed per game, and dead last over the last three games. This matchup doesn't look great on paper until you realize: it's the Saints.
Chris Olave has emerged as a strong WR1 in the Saints' ailing offense, but he's their best playmaker by far. Longtime running back Alvin Kamara has struggled in his age-30 season and could be sidelined with an injury this week.
Tight end Juan Jennings has played well at times, but doesn't produce consistently. That leaves the Shough-Olave connection as the most important to watch, and most lethal to guard. In Week 14, head coach Todd Bowles must key on Olave to limit Shough, whose value is rising each game.
If Tampa Bay can limit Shough, it will be all Buccaneers in Week 14.