John Romano: Stink, stank, stunk. Buccaneers blow it against last-place Saints.

John Romano, Tampa Bay Times on Dec 7, 2025

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — You could blame the rain. You could blame the injuries.

Or you could say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just had one of the worst collapses in franchise history.

Given the chance to increase their lead in the NFC South against the last-place Saints, the Bucs bungled the game in almost every way imaginable and came away a 24-20 loser Sunday.

Tampa Bay was once 6-2 with a commanding lead in the division, but the Bucs now go into the final four weeks tied with Carolina at 7-6.

Playing most of the game behind a makeshift offensive line that was missing three of its five starters, Baker Mayfield had one of his worst days in Tampa Bay. After beginning the game with eight consecutive completions for 84 yards, he was 6-of-22 passing for 38 yards in the next three quarters.

Mayfield was not the only culprit. Special teams coverage was, once again, poor. The defense stumbled in big moments. The offense could not convert fourth-and-short plays, and there were critical penalties that put the Bucs in a bind.

And now the rest of the season is in question.

Play of the day

It’s a different game if Emeka Egbuka does not let a ball go off his hands in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter. The Saints were leading 24-17 when Egbuka completely burned cornerback Quincy Riley. Mayfield’s throw was a little high and a little hard, but an NFL receiver absolutely needs to catch that ball.

Game ball

No, no, no, NO!

Keep an eye on

The pharmacy at Walgreens. If you thought the Bucs were past the worst of their injuries, guess again. Haason Reddick (ankle), Tykee Smith (stinger) and Ben Bredeson (knee) all left the game at various points. Even Bucky Irving, who just returned from foot and shoulder injuries, looked wobbly at times but did return for a big play in the fourth quarter. Oh, and Tristan Wirfs missed the game with an oblique injury.

NFC South update

Forget everything you thought you knew about the South race. By losing to the last-place Saints — at Raymond James, no less — the Bucs have invited the Panthers back into the conversation. Tampa Bay and Carolina are tied atop the division lead, which means their upcoming games on Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 will essentially decide the division title.

Up next

Well hello, old friend. Fourteen weeks after meeting in the season opener, Tampa Bay faces the Atlanta Falcons again. The Bucs escaped with a 23-20 victory in Atlanta, which set the stage for both teams in 2025. Atlanta has gone 1-5 in one-score games (eight points or less), while the Bucs are 5-3.

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