Saints blow out Buccaneers for sixth straight win, 30-10

The New Orleans Saints demolished the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon in Week 9, 30-10. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and final score.

We now know the range of the NFC South. The New Orleans Saints continue their winning ways by getting their sixth straight victory of the season. They dismantled the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon, 30-10.

New Orleans would put up nine points early in the first quarter. Kicker Wil Lutz would connect on a 40-yard field goal. Once cornerback Justin Hardee was able to block Tampa Bay’s punt attempt in the middle of the first quarter, it was essentially over.

That blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Hardee sealed both teams’ fates in this game. New Orleans would go on to win convincingly over a division rival. Tampa Bay has lost five in a row and now finds itself at a miserable 2-6 on the year.

More from FanSided

• MLB Rumors: White Sox offer ‘small opening’ in Dylan Cease, Luis Robert trade talks
• LAST CHANCE: $250 Guaranteed Bonus for Your Week 1 College Football Bet at DraftKings and FanDuel!
• MLB Rumors: Justin Verlander has a clear suitor, but it comes with a catch
• MLB Rumors: Braves trade grade, Cardinals trade bait, Red Sox selling
• USMNT news: Turner to Forest, Trusty to Sheffield, Reynolds to Westerlo

Though the Carolina Panthers are solid as well, the NFC South is the Saints’ to lose. Tampa Bay might be the second-worst team in the NFC. The only team that worse than the Buccaneers is a team they already beat in the hapless New York Giants. It feels as though this team has quit on its coaching staff. If head coach Dirk Koetter isn’t already on the hot seat, he sure is now.

With the way that Alvin Kamara ran all over the Buccaneers’ lackluster defense, this game was well over before halftime. Now that Adrian Peterson is out of town, you can really see how well Kamara and featured running back Mark Ingram play off each other. Add in Drew Brees at quarterback and this team has a shot at first-round bye this season.

While we would have wanted a better effort out of Tampa Bay in this game, it just wasn’t in the cards this year. There is no realistic chance that this reeling Buccaneers team makes the NFC playoffs now. They are almost certainly picking in the top 10, possibly as high as the top-five.

This could be a special year for New Orleans football. Brees is in the last year in his contract. Though the Saints’ Super Bowl window is closing, it’s definitely open in the middle of the 2017 NFL season. This team is cooking with gas. Nobody will want to play the Saints right now. This team is fantastic.

Three Stars

1. Alvin Kamara: Kamara had 10 carries for 68 yards, a touchdown and a lost fumble. He also had six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.
2. Drew Brees: Brees completed 22 of 27 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had a four carries for two yards.
3. Cameron Jordan: Jordan had seven tackles, five solo, three quarterback hits, 1.5 quarterback sacks and one tackle for a loss of yardage.

Highlights

Next Game

The Buccaneers will be back home in Week 10. They will host the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 12. CBS will have the early afternoon telecast.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Defenders of All-Time

The Saints wil have to make a trek north for their Week 10 game. They will have to face the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park on Nov. 12. Kickoff will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX will have the early afternoon telecast.