![]() In Week 15 of 2001, Tampa Bay entered the game against the Saints needing a victory to stay in playoff contention. Three times the Buccaneers had the ball inside the Saints 25 yard line, but came up with zero points. The Saints offensive numbers were not impressive either, but three field goals were enough for a 9–3 victory. In 1998, the Buccaneers’ offense dropped seven passes, Patrick Hape lost a fumble at the Saints 3 yard line, and quarterback Trent Dilfer threw an interception, as offensive futility plagued the Tony Dungy-led Buccaneers. The Saints now had won eight out of the last nine regular season meetings. Quarterback Chris Chandler threw two interceptions, fumbled once, and was sacked six times in defeat. However, the Bucs were no match for the punishing Saints defense. The Buccaneers scored first, becoming the first team to score a touchdown against the Saints defense in 18 quarters. In 1991, en route to their first NFC West division title, the Saints defeated the Buccaneers 23–7. The twelve consecutive seasons is the longest streak of any pair of non-division opponents facing each other in NFL history. The Saints dominated the regular season series during that period, winning nine of twelve games. ![]() New Orleans would finish with a record of 8–8.ĭespite not being in the same division, the Saints and Buccaneers played each other during every regular season from 1981 up to 1992. Despite the loss, Tampa Bay would advance to their first NFC Championship game. Archie Manning went 11 of 14 with a touchdown each rushing and passing. The Saints, however, scored 42 points in the second half to win 42–14. In Week 7, the Buccaneers hosted the Saints, and the game was scoreless at halftime. Tampa Bay surprised the league in 1979, turning around the club and starting the season 5–0. ![]() We're all ashamed for our people, for our fans, for our organization." Stram was fired the following week. It was the worst experience of my coaching career. After the game, Saints head coach Hank Stram lamented "What a nightmare. Inspired by the statements, Lee Roy Selmon and the Buccaneer defense yelled, "It's disgraceful! It's disgraceful!" at him as the clock wound down. Before the game, John McKay had read the team an article in which Saints quarterback Archie Manning stated that it would be disgraceful to lose to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers finally broke through with their first win in franchise history, ending their NFL-record losing streak at 26 games. Their three interception return touchdowns, with Richard Wood and Greg Johnson also scoring, tied an NFL record. The Buccaneers also recovered a fumble, and had six interceptions in all. Mike Washington made it 20–0 early in the second half, returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The Buccaneers began their first five drives in Saints territory, scoring on two Dave Green field goals, and a five-yard pass touchdown from Gary Huff to Morris Owens. ![]() New Orleans did not get a first down until midway through the second quarter, and did not get past midfield until nearly the end of the half. ![]() Despite six shutouts in the previous nine weeks, the Tampa Bay defense was improving, and a win seemed imminent. Teams around league were fearful of earning the dubious distinction of becoming the Buccaneers’ first victim. Tampa Bay, an expansion franchise in 1976, entered the game with a collective record of 0–26 over its first two seasons. The first meeting between the two teams occurred on December 11, 1977. The two teams have met in the playoffs once, in the 2020 NFC Divisional Round, which the Buccaneers won, 30–20. The Saints lead the overall series, 39–24. While the teams first met in 1977, the rivalry did not develop until the teams were placed in the NFC South in 2002, resulting in two annual meetings. The Buccaneers–Saints rivalry is the rivalry between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.
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