The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are living up to and surpassing the team's hype from last season's playoff run so far this season, and Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints is another key piece of evidence.

The Bucs defeated the Derek Carr-less Saints by a final score of 51-27 in New Orleans, upending one of the top offensive teams in football with a high-flying offensive outburst of their own.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for 325 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on the day as Tampa Bay picked off Saints fill-in Spencer Rattler twice and held him under 250 yards on their way to the big win.

After the game, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles gave a shout-out to the city of Tampa Bay with a boast that could eventually resonate throughout the city.

"We're going to have a special game ball for the city of Tampa when we get back," Bowles said as he celebrated with his team.

The Tampa Bay area was hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton on Sept. 26 and Oct. 9, respectively, leaving three million people without power and destroying property throughout the area.

Mayfield gave the city a shout-out in the postgame huddle following his coach's special declaration.

"'Tampa Strong' on three!" Mayfield shouted.

The Bucs have eight days to rest and shuffle the decks in anticipation of a home tilt with the Baltimore Ravens on October 21.

For Bowles and the Bucs, the game will be a chance to keep pace with and perhaps surpass the Atlanta Falcons as the two teams remain deadlocked with 4-2 records on top of the NFC South Division.

It will also be a chance to help a battered and beleaguered city forget about the challenges of the past few weeks with a few good hours of football, fun, and hopefully another key victory.

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