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For the 3rd time this season, the Bucs and Saints battle for a place in the NFC title game.
Saints receive. After picking up a 1st down they punt. Tampa Bay drives down the field on the legs of James Cook and put 3 points on the board. Saints are unable to make a 1st down and punt. On the Bucs first play, Carr is sacked and he loses the ball with New Orleans recovering on the Tampa Bay 30. Saints pick up 2 first downs but are stopped inside the 10 and have to settle for a Field Goal to tie the game. Bucs take over and again ride James Cook who runs over and around the New Orleans defense. Cook accounts for all yards on this drive including the final 20 yards to give Tampa Bay a 10-3 lead in the 2nd quarter. Saints pick up 2 first downs but face a 4th and less than a yard on their own 37. Swing pass to Kamara falls incomplete. Big stop by the home team. Bucs find more success on the ground with Najae Harris. They control the ball and face a 3rd and 1 on the Saints 2 with 1:09 left. Handoff to Harris. He's marked inches short of a 1st down. Decision time for Tampa Bay. They opt for the field goal and increase their lead to 13-3. Lawrence comes out firing. Hits Josh Reynolds for 35 yds. A few plays later he again finds Reynolds for 16 more yards. Saints on the Bucs 16 with 22 ticks until half. Lawrence back to pass and it's INTERCEPTED by Derwin James. At the half the Bucs on top 13-3.
Tampa Bay receives to start the second half. Offense is still clicking except once again they face a 4th and 1 on the Saints 10. Once again they opt for the FG and increase their lead to 16-3. Saints offense senses the urgency of the moment and they march down the field with relative ease. They face a 3rd and goal on the Tampa Bay 3. Hand off to Kamara picks up 2 making it 4th and goal at the 1. Coach Tim keeps the offense on the field. Handoff to Murray and he SCORES. Saints back in the game down only 6. Tampa Bay stays on the ground chewing up clock as we enter the 4th quarter. They go down to the Saints 4 but once again have to settle for a FG making it 19 - 10 with 11:15 to go. For the second time the Saints drive 75 yds and find paydirt as they close to 19-17 with 5:29 remaining. The Bucs grind out a couple of first downs forcing New Orleans to use up all of their time outs. The Saints D stiffens and forces a punt giving the Saints the ball on their own 7 with 1:49 left. After an incomplete pass, Lawrence drops back and he's sacked and loses the ball. Bucs recover and earn a hard fight win over the Saints.
Congrats to Tim on a great game and season!
Bucs rushed for 285 yards while Lawrence passed for 211 yds with a TD and INT.
Posted on 27 Sep 2023 by Bears
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