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Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes for Tampa Bay, Derek Carr's surprise return from a shoulder injury did little to help New Orleans' anemic offense, and the Buccaneers beat the Saints 26-9 on Sunday.
Mayfield completed 25 of 32 for 246 yards including TDs to Cade Otten, Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins as the Bucs (3-1) took over first place in the NFC South.
Starting one week after spraining his throwing shoulder at Green Bay, and after only limited work in practice the past week, Carr struggled to move New Orleans' offense, which had accounted for just four touchdowns in the first three weeks and did not add that total in Week 4.
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Carr finished 23 of 37 for 127 yards and was sacked three times in a second straight loss for the Saints (2-2), who were hoping for a boost from Alvin Kamara's return from a three-game suspension.
Kamara touched the ball 24 times with 11 carries and 13 receptions, but finished with just 84 yards from scrimmage.
New Orleans took a 3-0 lead on its opening drive but didn't score for the rest of half.
Mayfield, meanwhile, passed for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
He bought time with his feet on third down before hitting Otten for a 4-yard score that made it 7-3.
Mayfield was intercepted just short of the goal line late in the half by Isaac Yiadom, but fullback Adam Prentice fumbled the ball right back to the Bucs. Mayfield then hit Palmer on a fade route to the right side to make it 14-3 at halftime.
Mayfield put the game away with his 5-yard pass to diving Thompkins with 3:44 left.
TITANS' DERRICK HENRY RUNS OVER BENGALS DEFENSE, THROWS TD PASS IN BIG WIN
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Early in the third quarter, Carr had top receiver Chris Olave open deep downfield twice on one drive. Carr underthrew him the first time. On the second, safety Antoine Winfield recovered in time to catch Olave from behind and make a diving break-up in the end zone.
Kamara helped carry the Saints inside the Tampa Bay 20 late in the third quarter — with four carries for 29 yards and two catches for 12 yards — but they settled for Grupe's short field goal to make it 14-6.
INJURIES
Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans injured his hamstring in the second quarter and did not return. ... S Ryan Neal received attention on the field from Bucs' training staff after making a tackle on the second play of the game.
Saints: TE Juwan Johnson was active but unable to play because of an apparent pre-game calf injury. ... G Andrus Peat left in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion.
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UP NEXT
Buccaneers: After a bye, host Detroit on Oct. 15.
Saints: Visit New England next Sunday.
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