The New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a lopsided NFC South tilt where the Bucs aim to clinch a playoff berth and extend their hold on the division lead, while the Saints fight to avoid tying the franchise record for futility with a 12th straight loss. Tampa Bay, winners of three in a row including a 28-17 road thumping of the Falcons, rides Baker Mayfield’s hot streak (350+ yds, 3 TD last two) and a resurgent run game led by Rachaad White. New Orleans, decimated by injuries and Derek Carr’s season-ending clavicle fracture, turns to Jake Haener’s inexperience amid a defense that’s surrendered 30+ points in five straight. This matchup at the dome could expose the Saints’ youth vs. Tampa’s veteran savvy, with the Bucs’ pass rush feasting on a makeshift O-line in a potential rout.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Caesars Superdome, 1500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. The iconic domed stadium seats 73,208 and is a fortress for Saints fans, though recent struggles have tempered the Who Dat energy.
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast: CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins (field reporter)
Local radio on WWL 870 AM (NO) and WDAE 620 AM (TB).
Injury Report
The Saints’ roster is ravaged, particularly at QB and O-line, forcing reliance on undrafted rookies. Tampa’s depth absorbs hits better. Latest updates from Tuesday, December 2 practice reports:
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Practice Status | Est. Game Status |
| Saints | Derek Carr | QB | Clavicle | DNP (IR) | Out; season-ender from Week 10, Haener starts (debut: 189 yds, 1 TD/2 INT). |
| Ryan Ramczyk | RT | Knee | DNP (IR) | Out; missed 6 games, O-line protection critical. | |
| Pete Werner | LB | Ankle | DNP (Mon/Tue) | Out; leading tackler (52) sidelined, run D exposed. | |
| Chris Olave | WR | Hamstring | Limited (Tue) | Questionable; day-to-day after Week 13 tweak—top target (68 rec, 892 yds). | |
| Kendre Miller | RB | Hamstring | DNP | Out; backup to Kamara, limits backfield depth. | |
| Tyrice Knight | LB | Knee | Limited | Questionable; rookie starter if Werner out. | |
| Buccaneers | Vita Vea | DT | Hamstring | Limited (Mon/Tue) | Questionable; beastly interior (5.5 sacks), impacts run stuff if limited. |
| Jamel Dean | CB | Ankle | DNP (Mon); Limited (Tue) | Questionable; exited Week 13 early, secondary depth hit. | |
| Calijah Kancey | DT | Calf | Full (Tue) | Probable; full participation after scare—pass rush duo with Vea. | |
| Luke Goedeke | G | Concussion | Limited | Questionable; protocol, protects Mayfield’s right side. | |
| Cade Otton | TE | Ankle | Limited | Questionable; red-zone weapon (32 rec, 312 yds). |
Saints’ front thins further without Ramczyk; Bucs’ D-line questions could open lanes for Kamara.
Key Player Matchups
Tampa’s No. 6 scoring offense (26.2 pts/g) overwhelms New Orleans’ No. 30 defense (28.5 pts/g allowed). Saints’ youth vs. Bucs’ experience screams mismatches.
Jake Haener (NO QB) vs. Buccaneers Front Four (Vea/Kancey)
Haener’s inexperience (rookie debut struggles) meets TB’s No. 4 pass rush (2.7 sacks/g). Without Ramczyk, expect 3+ sacks; Haener’s 58% comp. projects hurried throws.
Baker Mayfield (TB QB) vs. Saints Secondary
Mayfield (3,200 yds, 22 TD, 102 rating) vs. NO’s leaky backfield (No. 29 pass D, 250 ypg allowed). If Dean sits, deep shots to Evans (95 yds last week) loom for 300+ yds.
Alvin Kamara (NO RB) vs. Buccaneers Run D
Kamara (1,000+ total yds, 6 TD) vs. TB’s No. 12 stop unit (102 ypg allowed). Bucs allow 4.2 ypc; Kamara’s receiving (45 rec) could hit 80+ total if volume spikes.
Rachaad White (TB RB) vs. Saints Front Seven (Werner out)
White (912 yds, 5.8 ypc) feasts on NO’s No. 28 rush D (135 ypg allowed). Without Werner, White projects 100+ yds, balancing Mayfield’s passes.
Mike Evans (TB WR) vs. Saints CBs
Evans (league-high 12 TD) vs. Paulson Adebo’s coverage. Saints press less (No. 22 rate); Evans’ red-zone dominance (8 TD last 8 games) for 90+ yds.
Team Records and Standings Context
Saints: 2-11 (4th NFC South, .154 win%). 16th in NFC, eliminated. Offense: No. 25 passing (195/g), No. 20 rushing (105/g), No. 31 pts (16.8/g). Defense: No. 30 pts allowed (28.5/g).
Buccaneers: 7-5 (1st NFC South, .583 win%). 6th in NFC wild-card. Offense: No. 6 passing (245/g), No. 14 rushing (115/g), T-6th pts (26.2/g). Defense: No. 15 pts allowed (22.1/g).
Recent Team Forms
Saints in collapse mode with QB turnover; Bucs building with balanced attack.
Saints Last 5 Games (0-5):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov. 30 | @ MIA | L 17-21 | Haener: 189 yds, 1 TD/2 INT; Kamara: 62 yds. |
| Nov. 23 | vs. LAR | L 13-34 | Defense gashed (380 total yds); Olave: 75 yds. |
| Nov. 17 | @ WAS | L 20-27 | Carr injures clavicle; turnovers (3) doom. |
| Nov. 10 | vs. ATL | L 24-31 | Run game limited (55 yds); secondary torched. |
| Nov. 3 | @ CAR | L 10-23 | Offense sputters (10 pts); 4 sacks allowed. |
Buccaneers Last 5 Games (3-2):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| Nov. 30 | @ ATL | W 28-17 | Mayfield: 350 yds, 3 TD; White: 89 yds. |
| Nov. 23 | vs. NYG | W 24-10 | Defense holds to 198 yds; Evans: 112 yds. |
| Nov. 16 | @ PHI | W 31-27 | Mayfield: 320 yds, 2 TD; thriller comeback. |
| Nov. 9 | vs. DAL | L 20-34 | Run D allows 142 yds; turnovers hurt. |
| Nov. 3 | @ KC | L 23-27 | Mayfield: 280 yds; close road loss. |
Bucs 3-2 SU last 5; Saints 0-11 when scoring <20 pts.
Series History
Tampa owns the recent edge in this South rivalry, winning 4 of last 5. All-time: Buccaneers lead 33-27. Last 5 meetings:
Oct. 1, 2024: Saints 26, Buccaneers 23 (NO).
Dec. 5, 2023: Buccaneers 20, Saints 17 (TB).
Oct. 1, 2023: Buccaneers 26, Saints 9 (TB).
Nov. 5, 2022: Saints 27, Buccaneers 16 (NO).
Sep. 18, 2022: Buccaneers 20, Saints 10 (TB).
H2H avg. 39.8 total pts; unders hit 3/5 since 2022.
Betting Trends
Spread: Saints 3-9 ATS (25%); Buccaneers 6-6 ATS (50%). TB 4-2 ATS on road; NO 1-5 ATS at home.
Total: Over in 8 of NO’s 13 (62%); 6 of TB’s 12 (50%). Home overs hit 60% for Saints.
Key Trends: Bucs 7-1 SU as 10+ faves; Saints 0-6 when Haener-like rookie starts. H2H: TB 4-1 SU last 5.
Projected Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, New Orleans Saints 13
SAINTS NOTES:
• QB TYLER SHOUGH passed for 239 yards & 2 TD for 91.9 rating in 4th career start last week. Is 1st NO rookie QB to ever have multiple games with 2+ TD passes. Has TD pass in 3 of his past 4. • RB ALVIN KAMARA has 7,250 career rush yards & 4,948 career rec. yards & can become 5th player ever with 5,000+ career rush yards & 5,000+ career rec. yards. Ranks 6th in NFL with 61 rush TDs since 2017. • RB DEVIN NEAL (rookie) led team with 47 rush yards in Week 13. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had TD catch last week & has TD reception in 2 of his past 3. Has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 on road & is 1 of 4 WRs with 50+ rec. yards in 10+ games this season. • WR DEVAUGHN VELE led team with 8 receptions for season-high 93 yards & TD in Week 13. • TE JUWAN JOHNSON had 5 receptions for 39 yards last week, includ. his 200th career catch. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with 9 tackles in Week 13. Has 9+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 games. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,488 tackles since 2012 & can become 1 of 3 (Bobby Wagner & London Fletcher) with 1,500+ tackles since 2000. Had 10 tackles & FF in Week 8 meeting. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had 4 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 13. Has 128 sacks & 745 tackles since 2011 & is 1 of 2 players (Terrell Suggs) since 2000 with 125+ sacks & 745+ tackles in their career. • DE CHASE YOUNG had sack & 2 TFL last week. Has sack in 4 of his past 5. Had 1.5 sacks, FF & FR in Week 8. • DT BRYAN BRESEE had sack in Week 13. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY had 3rd INT in 2025 last week, tied-8th most in the NFL this season. Aims for 4th in row with PD vs. TB. • S TERRELL BURGESS had 7 tackles & PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD.
BUCCANEERS NOTES:
• QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 194 yards & TD to OT Tristan Wirfs & added 27 rush yards in Week 13. Became 6th QB since 2000 with 2+ TD passes to OL. Has TD pass in 11 of 12 games this season. Has 250+ pass yards in 3 of his past 4 at home. • RB BUCKY IRVING had team-high 61 rush yards & TD in Week 13. Aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with 80+ rush yards & rush TD. • RB RACHAAD WHITE has 2,505 career rush yards & aims for 15th career rush TD (14). Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR EMEKA EGBUKA ranks tied-1st among rookies with 6 TD catches & 2nd with 791 rec. yards this season. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had team & season-high 78 rec. yards in Week 13. Had 11 receptions for 125 rec. yards & 2 TDs in his last game vs. NO (10/13/24). • TE TEZ JOHNSON ranks tied-3rd among rookies with 5 TD catches in 2025. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 at home. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 6 tackles in Week 13 & has 6+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. Has 176 TFL since 2012, tied for 2nd-most during that span. Had 10 tackles & FR in Week 8 meeting. • LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS had team-high 10 tackles in Week 13. Had 7 tackles & sack in Week 8 meeting. • LB YAYA DIABY had sack in Week 13 & aims for 3rd in row with sack. • DL LOGAN HALL had 1st FF in 2025 last week. • NT VITA VEA had sack in Week 13 & has 0.5+ sack in 3 of his past 4 at home. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 vs. NO. • CB ZYON MCCOLLUM had 5 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 games. Had 6 tackles in Week 8 meeting. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. had 7 tackles & 2nd INT this season in Week 13. Has PD in 4 of his past 5. Had 6 tackles, FR & INT in Week 8 meeting.
Game Odds
New Orleans Saints 42.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
