Week 17 vs. New Orleans Saints Game Analysis – by Hagen

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The wait is over, Bucs Nation, this totally lost and forgettable season is finally over! … And Tampa Bay ended it on a high note. The Saints played all their starters, but our defense did a very solid job keeping one of the best offenses in the NFL in check. Occasionally, the Buccaneers were even able to create some kind of a pass rush. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram only rushed for a combined 79 yards on 22 carries. Kamara did return a kickoff for a Touchdown, however, on the Saints’ very first possession of the game.

On offense, Peyton Barber has clearly taken the role of the lead back for the Bucs, as he had 17 carries compared to Doug Martin’s three. On a side note, this situation will be interesting to watch in the offseason. Barber did a decent job, averaging more than 4 yards per carry and scoring a Touchdown, as well. Jameis Winston, however, did not play as well as has played lately. He made several bad reads that ended in interceptions. He had three on the day, that number could easily have been higher, to be quite honest. On the other hand, though, Winston delivered big time when it mattered the most, in crunch time.

As the Saints took a three-point lead with less than two minutes to play in the game, Winston and the Bucs were given the chance to win or tie the contest with their last drive starting at their own five-yard line. Jameis thrived under pressure and lead the Bucs down the field. As they were in range for a long field goal, he threw a perfect pass to Rookie Wide Receiver Chris Godwin, who took it all the way to the house for six with less than 10 seconds to play. A textbook drive by Tampa Bay and Jameis Winston, which leaves lots of hope for next year!

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