If Sunday's game in New Orleans were a movie, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi telling Saints fans 'this is going to go the way you think'.
Sure enough, it didn't.
All week long Bucs fans were subjected to trash talk from Saints fans and players about how badly the rivalry has gone for Tampa Bay. The facts speak for themselves, as New Orleans has a 39-24 record against the Bucs, even after how Week 4 went.
What's undeniable is how much the script was flipped on Sunday when Baker Mayfield led the Bucs to a 26-9 win that gave Tampa Bay sole possession of first place in the NFC South. It's true that New Orleans is dominant in the overall series, but whenever there seems to be something on the line the Saints fold like a cheap poker table.
Lest we forget the NFC Divisional Round in 2020.
Baker looked phenomenal in the win, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns, while only turning the ball over once. Young guys like Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins stepped up and the defense smothered the Saints all afternoon. It was total domination on every level, and it forced some of those who talked some trash to walk it back.
Cam Jordan admits Baker Mayfield 'made some great plays' in win over Saints
Credit where it's due, Cam Jordan didn't run and hide from the loss. After the game he praised Baker for being able to survive the pressure New Orleans defense put on him all game.
"Collapsing pocket wasn't getting him down, and he was able to get the ball out however it may be," Jordan said. " made some great plays ... kudos to him because I think that there was significant pressure on him."
Cam Jordan: "If you don't allow points to be put on the board, they can't win."
— Matt DeGregorio (@Matt_DeGregorio) October 2, 2023
The #Saints have an opportunity to get back on track next Sunday in Foxborough: pic.twitter.com/ISPImsEsgB
This came after Jordan tried to dismiss the Bucs as nothing more than an irrelevant speed bump for the Saints. While talking to the media during the week, Jordan said there wasn't a rivalry between the two teams and tried to go full Thanos and pretend he didn't know who the Buccaneers were.
Baker and the gang reminded him on Sunday.
It might have been like pulling teeth, but Jordan owned the loss and gave the Bucs credit which is something you have to respect.