The New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 28-14, in Week 14 of the 2018 NFL season.
PFF's ReFocused series this season features immediate takeaways and a key to the victory from two Senior Analysts who graded the performance, watching every player on every play of the game. For more data and analysis from the game, utilize our Premium Stats 2.0 dashboard to expand your knowledge on the key players, signature stats and much more.
FINAL SCORE
New Orleans Saints 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14
Drew Brees hasn't quite been himself the past two games after starting the season on a record-setting pace for the best PFF grade. That's most likely not in play at this point, as he once again struggled for most of the game fumbling in the pocket and throwing an interception on a screen play. The offense started clicking in the second half, but Brees still didn't litter the field with big-time throws like he has been most of the year.
When in doubt, throw it to Michael Thomas who returned to his early season form with double-digit receptions for the first time since Week 9 and just the second time since Week 3. He had 11 catches on 13 targets with six of the catches going for a first down.
Sheldon Rankins and Cameron Jordan terrorized the right side of the Bucs' offensive line on Sunday. Both were very productive rushing the passer and played solid run defense
The Saints got solid play out of slot cornerback PJ Williams on Sunday. Williams did a good job of limiting big plays and being competitive at the catch point. He was on the field for most of the day and was never a problem
The Buccaneer defense couldn't have played any better in the first half, as they didn't miss a single tackle. It was a different story in the second half, as they hit double digits in missed tackles. The defense struggled to tackle in the run game against Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara.
The defensive core of Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David both played well against the Saints, as McCoy was disruptive in the run game while adding in multiple pressures and David was one of the better coverage defenders for Tampa Bay. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, the pieces around them didn't put forth consistent efforts. Starting cornerbacks Ryan Smith and Brent Grimes both turned in below average games in coverage.
It was a tough day for the right side of the offensive line for Tampa Bay. Demar Dotson and Caleb Beneoch were often matched up against Jordan and Rankins. Both struggled in pass protection and run blocking
Jameis Winston’s day was not noteworthy either way really. He had one big time throw over the top to Mike Evans early in the game, and none afterward. But Winston did not put the ball in danger often, either, keeping the Bucs within reach for most of the game
Keys to the Game
New Orleans
Brees and company finally got it going in the second half, aided by some key special teams plays.
Tampa Bay
The Bucs couldn't generate enough big plays to move the ball and get in the end zone. The missed field goals left them with no points on two occasions.
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