5 winners (and 3 losers) from Buccaneers’ 23-3 blowout win over Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a much-needed bounce back win in Week 8 over the Saints after a disappointing loss last week. 

The Bucs never trailed and dominated the rival Saints 23-3 in their most comfortable win of the season as they head into the bye week at 6-2. 

Some Buccaneers had very impressive performances in the victory, while others left a lot to be desired.

Winners and losers from Buccaneers’ Week 8 victory over Saints

Winner: OLB Anthony Nelson

With Haason Reddick sidelined due to injury, Nelson was thrust into a bigger role on defense, and he made the most of his opportunity, turning in the most impactful game of his career.

Nelson recorded two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pick-six for the game’s opening score.

Winner: Antoine Winfield Jr. 

Winfield Jr. dominated in New Orleans with six tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception, but questionable officiating cost him an even bigger day that should’ve included multiple touchdowns. 

He reached the end zone three times total, including on his fumble recovery and interception, yet all three were wiped out by questionable calls that left Todd Bowles furious postgame.

Loser: Ron Torbert and his officiating crew 

In what has sadly become a common theme this season, the referees have been an opposing force that the Buccaneers have had to overcome. 

Bowles made his displeasure known in his postgame press conference, wanting a more clear explanation for why Winfield Jr. had his touchdown taken away.

Winfield Jr. was the main victim of the referees after finding the end zone three times but none of them counting on the stat sheet.

Luckily, the Bucs played well enough for the awful officiating to be a non-factor, but it is a worrying trend after Tampa Bay has been hosed by referees in consecutive weeks now.

Winner: Todd Bowles

Bowles continues to coach at an elite level, and he has the Buccaneers sitting at 6-2 heading into the bye despite being one of the most injury-riddled teams. 

Bowles’ defense has been spectacular, and Week 8 in New Orleans was no different. The defensive unit generated five sacks, and four turnovers.

The Buccaneers had more forced turnovers (4) than they did points allowed (3), the perfect stat to demonstrate their dominance. Bowles has his guys playing at a high level, and tied for the best start through eight games in franchise history.

Losers: Buccaneers Offense

The offensive unit as a whole turned in a lousy performance. Baker Mayfield had a pedestrian day, going 15-for-24 with 152 yards, no touchdowns and a fumble lost. 

The team rushed for a total of 88 yards on 29 carries, averaging a measly three yards per carry. 

Even Tristan Wirfs, who is perhaps the most reliable player on the whole team, had a performance to be forgotten. Wirfs had two pre-snap penalties, and was beaten by Chase Young for a strip-sack on Mayfield.

Luckily, a strong performance by the defense helped Tampa Bay overcome the offense’s struggles.

Winner: Jamel Dean

Based on PFF’s initial in-game grading, Dean earned an elite 91.0 grade, his third elite score in five weeks. Dean played tight coverage all game, and made a big play with a forced fumble that the Bucs recovered. 

Dean continues to turn in arguably the best season of his career after being forced to take a pay cut this offseason.

If Dean continues to perform at his current level as one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks, he will earn a massive payday this offseason when he enters free agency. In the meantime, he’s been a huge pleasant surprise for the defense this season.

Winner: Tez Johnson 

Johnson’s numbers won’t blow anyone away, but he paced the Buccaneers in both yards and receptions with five catches for 43 yards. 

For a seventh-round pick that many thought would primarily earn his keep as a returner as a rookie, Johnson has emerged as one of the most reliable targets for Mayfield.

The team really needed Johnson to step up with all of the injuries at wide receiver, and he has certainly answered the call.

Loser: Josh Grizzard’s goal line play calling

Grizzard has been mostly impressive in his start as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator, but today wasn’t his day. After getting a first-and-goal at the one-yard-line, the offense was stopped on four consecutive plays before turning it over on downs. 

After getting to the one-yard-line again later in the game, Tampa Bay was again stopped three times in a row. Luckily, they finally punched it in on a Sean Tucker run on fourth down.

Still, it took the Buccaneers eight tries just to score one touchdown at the goal line, and there needs to be a better gameplan and more creative play calling in these situations.