Final2024 Week 18

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 18 2024

New Orleans Saints

Away

19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

HomeWon

27

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Saints3133019
Buccaneers3371427

NO 19TB 27 Final

  • Passing leader

    Spencer Rattler

    NO · QB

    14.7PPR pts

    26/42, 240 YDS, 1 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Jalen McMillan

    TB · WR

    19.0PPR pts

    5 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD

  • Saints leader

    Juwan Johnson

    NO · TE

    14.0PPR pts

    6 REC, 80 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jordan Howden

    NO

    1 INT, 3 TKL

Buccaneers 27, Saints 19: Tampa Bay rallies from 10 down at halftime

Tampa Bay erased a 16–6 halftime deficit, outscoring New Orleans 21–3 after the break to win 27–19. The Buccaneers finished with a 395–292 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The Saints went 3-for-13 on third down, while the Buccaneers kept the ball for 32:16.

The two teams meet again in Week 15 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.6 yards/play TB 6.2 · NO 4.6
  • +103 total yards TB 395 · NO 292
  • +40% third-down rate TB 63% · NO 23%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Saint or Buccaneer on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Buccaneers Won

Tampa Bay won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Saints vs Buccaneers
SaintsStatBuccaneers
4.6Yards per play6.2
292Total yards395
23%Third-down conversion63%
Other team stats
63Plays64
0Turnovers1
27:44Time of possession32:16

Scoring Summary

The Buccaneers scored three touchdowns and two field goals; the Saints scored one touchdown and four field goals.

Scoring plays, Saints vs Buccaneers
TimeTeamPlayNOTB
1st quarter
9:16NOBlake Grupe 35-yard FG Takes lead30
4:51TBChase McLaughlin 52-yard FG Ties game33
2nd quarter
14:52NOBlake Grupe 39-yard FG Takes lead63
6:14NOSpencer Rattler → Dante Pettis, 5-yard TD Extends leadBlake Grupe XP133
1:03TBChase McLaughlin 25-yard FG136
0:07NOBlake Grupe 39-yard FG Extends lead166
3rd quarter
10:27TBBaker Mayfield → Payne Durham, 6-yard TDChase McLaughlin XP1613
5:53NOBlake Grupe 49-yard FG Extends lead1913
4th quarter
10:09TBBaker Mayfield → Jalen McMillan, 32-yard TD Game winnerChase McLaughlin XP1920
1:51TBBucky Irving 11-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP1927

Fantasy Points: Saints vs Buccaneers, Week 18 2024

Fantasy leaders

  1. Baker MayfieldTBQB22.6 PTSQB11
  2. Jalen McMillanTBWR19.0 PTSWR13
  3. Mike EvansTBWR17.9 PTSWR16
  4. Bucky IrvingTBRB16.4 PTSRB10

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Spencer RattlerNOQB14.7QB1626/4224010111085.4Start/Sit →
Baker MayfieldTBQB22.6QB1121/3222121968093.4Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Jalen McMillanTBWR19.0WR13WR16065741Start/Sit →
Mike EvansTBWR17.9WR16WR———149890Start/Sit →
Bucky IrvingTBRB16.4RB10RB1989152-50Start/Sit →
Juwan JohnsonNOTE14.0TE13TE———76800Start/Sit →
Dante PettisNOWR9.6WR44WR———62161
Payne DurhamTBTE9.6TE19TE———22161Start/Sit →
Foster MoreauNOTE7.1TE23TE———44310Start/Sit →
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingNOWR6.3WR67WR———83330Start/Sit →
Devin CulpTBTE5.6TE30TE———22360
Jordan MimsNORB5.5RB40RB212033130
Cedrick WilsonNOWR5.2WR76WR———53220
Clyde Edwards-HelaireNORB5.0RB42RB826011140
Jamaal WilliamsNORB3.2RB57RB81501170
Dallin HolkerNOTE3.1TE43TE———32110
Kevin AustinNOWR2.3WR98WR———11130
Sterling ShepardTBWR2.1WR100WR———21110
Sean TuckerTBRB1.6RB68RB2160————Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

  1. Foster MoreauTE52 snaps79%
  2. Juwan JohnsonTE52 snaps79%
  3. Marquez Valdes-ScantlingWR46 snaps70%
  4. Kevin AustinWR36 snaps55%
  5. Cedrick WilsonWR30 snaps45%

Target Share39 targets

  1. Marquez Valdes-Scantling21%, 8 targets
  2. Juwan Johnson18%, 7 targets
  3. Dante Pettis15%, 6 targets
  4. Cedrick Wilson13%, 5 targets
  5. Foster Moreau10%, 4 targets
  6. Other23%, 9 targets

Carry Share19 carries

  1. Jamaal Williams42%, 8 carries
  2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire42%, 8 carries
  3. Jordan Mims11%, 2 carries
  4. Spencer Rattler5%, 1 carries

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Snap Share

  1. Mike EvansWR59 snaps88%
  2. Jalen McMillanWR59 snaps88%
  3. Payne DurhamTE54 snaps81%
  4. Bucky IrvingRB48 snaps72%
  5. Sterling ShepardWR42 snaps63%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Mike Evans45%, 14 targets
  2. Jalen McMillan19%, 6 targets
  3. Bucky Irving16%, 5 targets
  4. Sterling Shepard6%, 2 targets
  5. Payne Durham6%, 2 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share31 carries

  1. Bucky Irving61%, 19 carries
  2. Baker Mayfield29%, 9 carries
  3. Sean Tucker6%, 2 carries
  4. Jalen McMillan3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Mike EvansTBWR5988%1445%0
Jalen McMillanTBWR5988%619%1
Payne DurhamTBTE5481%26%0
Foster MoreauNOTE5279%410%0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE5279%718%0
Bucky IrvingTBRB4872%516%19
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingNOWR4670%821%0
Sterling ShepardTBWR4263%26%0
Kevin AustinNOWR3655%13%0
Cedrick WilsonNOWR3045%513%0
Jamaal WilliamsNORB2436%13%8
Jordan MimsNORB2436%38%2
Dante PettisNOWR2030%615%0
Rachaad WhiteTBRB1827%00%0
Devin CulpTBTE1624%26%0
Dallin HolkerNOTE1421%38%0
Ko KieftTBTE1116%00%0
Trey PalmerTBWR812%00%0
Ryan MillerTBWR812%00%0
Rakim JarrettTBWR710%00%0
Sean TuckerTBRB57%00%2

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Mike EvansTB · WR17.924.0−6.188%45% tgt—000%1445%
Bucky IrvingTB · RB16.421.0−4.672%61% car—01961%516%
Baker MayfieldTB · QB22.620.1+2.5100%32 att—32929%00%
Spencer RattlerNO · QB14.719.3−4.6100%42 att—4215%00%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingNO · WR6.313.7−7.470%21% tgt—000%821%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE14.012.0+2.079%18% tgt—000%718%
Jalen McMillanTB · WR19.010.9+8.188%19% tgt—013%619%
Dante PettisNO · WR9.610.3−0.730%15% tgt—000%615%
Cedrick Wilson Jr.NO · WR5.28.6−3.445%13% tgt—000%513%
Clyde Edwards-HelaireNO · RB5.06.9−1.9—42% car—0842%13%
Foster MoreauNO · TE7.16.9+0.279%10% tgt—000%410%
Jamaal WilliamsNO · RB3.26.9−3.736%42% car—0842%13%
Jordan MimsNO · RB5.56.4−0.936%11% car—0211%38%
Dallin HolkerNO · TE3.15.1−2.021%8% tgt—000%38%
Devin CulpTB · TE5.63.4+2.224%6% tgt—000%26%
Payne DurhamTB · TE9.63.4+6.281%6% tgt—000%26%
Sterling ShepardTB · WR2.13.4−1.363%6% tgt—000%26%
Kevin Austin Jr.NO · WR2.31.7+0.655%3% tgt—000%13%
Sean TuckerTB · RB1.61.3+0.37%6% car—026%00%

Team totals: Saints 39 targets and 19 carries; Buccaneers 31 targets and 31 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2024 season: 1.71 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Spencer Rattler

NO · QB · 14.7 pts on 19.3 expected

26 of 42 passing for 240 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry for 11 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.3 expected.

Start/Sit: Spencer Rattler →

Baker Mayfield

TB · QB · 22.6 pts on 20.1 expected

21 of 32 passing for 221 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 9 carries for 68 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Unlucky

NO · WR · 6.3 pts on 13.7 expected

8 targets (21% of the team's), 3 catches for 33 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Marquez Valdes-Scantling →

Juwan Johnson

NO · TE · 14.0 pts on 12.0 expected

7 targets (18% of the team's), 6 catches for 80 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Juwan Johnson →

Mike Evans Volume, no payoff

TB · WR · 17.9 pts on 24.0 expected

14 targets (45% of the team's), 9 catches for 89 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 24.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Mike Evans →

Bucky Irving Volume, no payoff

TB · RB · 16.4 pts on 21.0 expected

5 targets (16% of the team's), 2 catches for -5 yards; 19 carries (61% of the team's) for 89 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Bucky Irving →

Jalen McMillan Ran hot

TB · WR · 19.0 pts on 10.9 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 5 catches for 74 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for 6 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jalen McMillan →

Payne Durham Ran hot

TB · TE · 9.6 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 16 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 3.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Payne Durham →

Stock Up, Stock Down

New Orleans Saints

  • Stock up: Juwan Johnson played 79% of the snaps, up from a 63% season average.
  • Stock up: Jamaal Williams played 36% of the snaps, up from a 19% season average.
  • Stock up: Jordan Mims played 36% of the snaps, up from a 16% season average.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Stock up: Mike Evans played 88% of the snaps, up from a 70% season average.
  • Stock up: Bucky Irving played 72% of the snaps, up from a 43% season average.
  • Stock up: Jalen McMillan played 88% of the snaps, up from a 69% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2024 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Saints defense and Buccaneers defense
Points allowed toSaints DBuccaneers D
QBs16.520.2
RBs24.319.7
WRs35.935.7
TEs11.214.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Tampa Bay opened at 50% win probability, fell as low as 13%, then rallied to win.

Buccaneers win probability

Buccaneers win probability by game minuteBuccaneers started at 50%, stood at 15% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −22Rattler → Pettis, 5-yd TD39% → 17%Q2 6:14
  2. +24Mayfield → Durham, 6-yd TD13% → 37%Q3 10:27
  3. −13Grupe 49-yd FG35% → 23%Q3 5:53
  4. +43Mayfield → McMillan, 32-yd TD14% → 57%Q4 10:09
  5. +34Irving 11-yd TD run66% → >99%Q4 1:51

Swing in Buccaneers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Saints vs Buccaneers
New Orleans SaintsMeasureTampa Bay Buccaneers
63Plays64
70%Pass rate52%
5.2Yds / dropback6.5
3.4Yds / carry5.8
3/13Third downs10/16

Efficiency edge Tampa Bay ran 1 more plays and gained 1.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • NO Valdes-Scantling 21% · Johnson 18% · Pettis 15%
  • TB Evans 45% · McMillan 19% · Irving 16%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Saints vs Buccaneers
ResultNOTB
Touchdowns13
Field goals42
Punts32
Turnovers01
Turnovers on downs10

NO turnover edge: +1

  • The Saints opened the scoring on their first possession, a 11-play, 54-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Buccaneers drained the clock with three second-half drives of four to eight minutes.
All 19 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
NOQ1 15:0011545:44Field goal
TBQ1 9:169434:25Field goal
NOQ1 4:5110494:59Field goal
TBQ2 14:52361:02Punt
NOQ2 13:5014797:36Touchdown
TBQ2 6:1412635:11Field goal
NOQ2 1:0310490:56Field goal
TBQ2 0:071-10:07End of half
TBQ3 15:0010724:33Touchdown
NOQ3 10:27311:05Punt
TBQ3 9:22311:53Interception
NOQ3 7:29461:36Field goal
TBQ3 5:53331:33Punt
NOQ3 4:203-72:02Punt
TBQ3 2:1812827:09Touchdown
NOQ4 10:09582:31Punt
TBQ4 7:3812945:47Touchdown
NOQ4 1:517381:15Downs
TBQ4 0:36190:36End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Saints vs Buccaneers Head-to-Head

The Saints and Buccaneers first met in 1977 and have played 69 times since. They have been NFC South rivals since 2002.

All-time series
41–28Saints lead, 69 meetings since 1977
Postseason
1–0Buccaneers won in 2020
Largest Saints win
41–02012
Largest Buccaneers win
48–212001

Since 2021

6–4 Buccaneers lead

10 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Buccaneers win, S = Saints win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 15 Saints at Buccaneers Upcoming
  • Week 18 Buccaneers at Saints Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2024 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Saints vs Buccaneers
SaintsStatBuccaneers
5-12Record10-7
19.9Points per game29.5
320.1Yards per game399.6
5.3Yards per play6.2
23.4Points allowed per game22.6
379.9Yards allowed per game341.8

Saints vs Buccaneers Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 15 in Tampa Bay and Week 18 in New Orleans. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2024 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Saints vs Buccaneers Game FAQ

Who won the 2024 Saints vs Buccaneers Week 18 game?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 27–19 in Week 18 of the 2024 season. The game was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, on January 5, 2025. See the Buccaneers' 2024 schedule.

What was the final score of Saints vs Buccaneers?

The final score was Buccaneers 27, Saints 19. The Saints led 16–6 at halftime, and the second half went Saints 3, Buccaneers 21.

What happened in the Saints vs Buccaneers game?

Tampa Bay erased a 16–6 halftime deficit, outscoring New Orleans 21–3 after the break to win 27–19. The Buccaneers finished with a 395–292 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Baker Mayfield led all players with 21 of 32 passing for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 9 carries for 68 rushing yards. The Buccaneers committed 1 turnover, the Saints none.

What was the game-winning score in Saints vs Buccaneers?

Baker Mayfield's 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan with 10:09 left in the fourth quarter gave the Buccaneers a 20–19 lead they never gave up.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Saints vs Buccaneers?

Baker Mayfield led the game with 22.6 PPR fantasy points, the QB11 of Week 18, on 21 of 32 passing for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 9 carries for 68 rushing yards. Jalen McMillan was next with 19.0 (WR13). See Baker Mayfield's 2024 game log.

Who led Saints vs Buccaneers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Spencer Rattler (NO) led all passers with 26 of 42 for 240 yards and a touchdown. Bucky Irving (TB) led in rushing with 19 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. Mike Evans (TB) led in receiving with 9 catches for 89 yards.

How many fantasy points did Baker Mayfield score against the Saints?

Baker Mayfield scored 22.6 fantasy points against the Saints in Week 18 of the 2024 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 21 of 32 passing for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 9 carries for 68 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Saints vs Buccaneers?

Jalen McMillan outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 19.0 PPR points on 10.9 xFP (+8.1). Marquez Valdes-Scantling fell furthest short, with 6.3 points on 13.7 xFP (−7.4). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Saints vs Buccaneers?

Mike Evans had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 24.0 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 17.9. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Buccaneers come back to beat the Saints?

The Buccaneers' chances of winning fell as low as 13% in the third quarter. Baker Mayfield's 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Baker Mayfield's 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Saints vs Buccaneers?

The Saints won the turnover battle 1–0: the Buccaneers gave the ball away 1 time and the Saints not at all. The Buccaneers won the game anyway.

What was the turning point of Saints vs Buccaneers?

Baker Mayfield's 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan with 10:09 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Buccaneers' win probability from 14% to 57%.

What is the all-time Saints vs Buccaneers record?

The Saints lead the all-time series 41–28 across 69 meetings since 1977, including a 0–1 record in the postseason.

When did the Saints and Buccaneers last play before this game?

Before Week 18 of 2024, they last met in the 2024 season on October 13, 2024, when the Buccaneers beat the Saints 51–27.

Have the Saints and Buccaneers met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2020 playoffs. The Saints are 0–1 against the Buccaneers in the postseason.