The Saints dismantled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 41-0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Sunday afternoon.
Both teams entered Sunday’s matchup hoping to build on fading playoff hopes, but the Saints crushed the Bucs in dominating fashion to claim their first shutout since a 12-0 victory over the New York Jets on Christmas Eve in 1995.
Drew Brees broke out of his recent slump, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
On the other side of the field, Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman had a rough day. Saints defensive backs intercepted Freeman four times on the day, including two timely picks by Jabari Greer.
The Saints’ offense set the tone early with an opening drive touchdown pass from Brees to David Thomas. Brees later spread the wealth with touchdown passes to Darren Sproles, Lance Moore and Joseph Morgan.
Chase Daniel relieved Brees late in the fourth quarter and led a touchdown drive of his own, handing off to Mark Ingram for an eleven-yard touchdown run for the Saints’ last score of the game.
The Buccaneers drove to the Saints’ ten-yard line on their final possession, but the Saints’ defense preserved the shutout as time expired.
The Saints have now swept the season series with Tampa Bay for the first time since 2006 and improve to 6-8 on the season with a road trip to Dallas next Sunday.
