Games notes and anecdotes Delightful D The Bucs defense held New Orleans to just 197 yards of offense, the lowest total allowed by Tampa Bay in 63 all-time meetings with the Saints. In addition, the 127 net passing yards allowed by Tampa Bay were the team's fewest since last Nov. 9 vs. Atlanta. Saints receiver Chris Olave was held to one catch for 4 yards, a career low. "Credit to Coach Bowles for putting together a great game plan and for us just sticking together and chipping away at it, watching film together, talking about it on the sidelines," cornerback Zyon McCollum said. "Then when we're out there, we're always talking. We're always communicating. So as long as we stick together as a group, it doesn't matter who's out there on offense, we think we can contain them." Another long field goal Chase McLaughlin hit a 51-yard field goal, bringing his career total to 19-of-23 on 50-plus-yard attempts. He finished 2-of-2 on field goals and 2-of-2 on extra-point attempts Sunday (the Bucs opted for a two-point conversion try on one TD). Credit Mayfield for scrambling twice for yardage with runs to get McLaughlin back in field goal range so the Bucs could take a 17-6 lead early in the fourth quarter. "There were a couple there," Mayfield said. "Early on in the game, (quarterbacks coach) Thad Lewis was pointing out they're not accounting for me. And just that last third down right before Chase hit the long field goal, (offensive coordinator) Dave (Canales) is telling me we just need 5 yards here. We're looking to convert the first down but just getting Chase into range." Rick Stroud, The Tampa Bay Times, published 2 October 2023