The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to bounce back with a vengeance from their second loss of the 2025 NFL season last week to the Detroit Lions by dominating the New Orleans Saints on both sides of the football in Week 8.
Against the Lions, Baker Mayfield and company couldn’t get it going offensively, as they finished the game with only nine points while also seeing star wide receiver Mike Evans go down with a season-ending collarbone injury. It was a rough performance that ended with another star player going down, leading some to wonder how much longer Tampa Bay could keep playing competitive football with so many players injured.
However, the team got the win in Week 8, with the defense—not the offense—receiving the credit from Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield Praises Buccaneers Defense
GettyHead coach Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, Week 8 was a different story, but Mayfield feels like the offense still wasn’t getting the job done, as he said during the postgame press conference.
“We’ll always take the wins,” Mayfield said. “Don’t get me wrong about that, but offensively, that wasn’t nearly good enough or close to what we want it to look like.
Mayfield felt the Buccaneers’ defense and special teams deserved high praise for their performance against the Saints in this divisional matchup.
“Defense and special teams played absolutely outstanding, and it was really fun to watch on their part.”
The star quarterback also went into some detail about the defense’s performance, particularly highlighting linebacker Anthony Nelson‘s impact.
“I’d be nice if we matched their energy and play, but watching that, that’s lights out defense. The only reason they got points was because of the turnover before the half, and they were in damn near field-goal range.
“They played a shutout ball game in my eyes. Everybody flying around making plays, and Nelly obviously had a hell of a game.”
Nelson had the game of his life, recording 2.0 sacks to go along with an interception and a forced fumble. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. also had an interception.
Buccaneers Head Into Much-Needed Bye Week
GettyHead coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the injuries piling up from week to week, the Buccaneers desperately need their bye week to be a bit healthier and collect themselves for the final nine games of the 2025 campaign.
As a result of the 23-3 win over the Saints, the Buccaneers are sitting comfortably atop the NFC South division standings. There seems to be a good chance that no other team in the division will come close to competing with Mayfield’s squad, with the Carolina Panthers being in second place at 4-4, followed by the Atlanta Falcons (3-4) and the Saints (1-7).
Although there’s still a lot of football left to be played, Tampa Bay is looking like one of the best teams in the NFC, as they are tied with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles for the best record in the conference at 6-2.
A long way to go, but the Buccaneers have to be happy where they are at right now.
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