(Video) Bucs Fans Start A “Let’s Go Saints” Chant After Win Over Panthers

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers kept their end of the bargain by defeating the Panthers in Week 18 and now they have to rely on the Saints to defeat the Falcons in Atlanta.

(Video) Bucs Fans Start A “Let’s Go Saints” Chant After Win Over Panthers

The Buccaneers fans are set to cheer for Tyler Shough and the Saints when they play the Falcons in Week 18 (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Who could have guessed that Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would have to rely on rookie Tyler Shough and the 6-10 New Orleans Saints to qualify for the playoffs? For a change, the Buccaneers fans will be cheering for their biggest rivals when they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, January 4.

The Buccaneers have no one to blame but themselves for ending up in this situation. They had plenty of chances to create distance between them and their closest competitor, the Carolina Panthers, in the division.

Despite starting the year 6-2, the Bucs went 2-7 in the next game and ended the year with an 8-9 record. That stretch included defeats in back-to-back games against New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta.

This outcome left the Bucs with a must-win game against the Panthers on the final day of their schedule. Even a draw could have proved fatal for their playoff goals. Fortunately, the Buccaneers secured a 16-14 victory under horrible weather at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs and Panthers both wrapped up the regular season with 8-9 records and are now turning their focus to Sunday’s big showdown between the Saints and Falcons in Atlanta. And judging by the atmosphere in Tampa, it’s clear which team the Bucs fans are going to support.

How can the Saints help the Buccaneers qualify for the playoffs?

The Saints have been one of the league’s most in-form teams despite their horrible record. They have won their last four fixtures, including wins over the Bucs and the Panthers. This remarkable late-season run has come after head coach Kellen Moore benched Spencer Rattler to start 26-year-old rookie Tyler Shough.

(Video) Bucs Fans Start A "Let's Go Saints" Chant After Win Over Panthers
Baker Mayfield (Image via IMAGO)

After coming on as Rattler’s reliever in a couple of games, Shough was named the starter in the Saints’ week nine fixture against the Los Angeles Rams. Since then, he has gone 5-3, completed 198 passes (67.8%) for 2125 yards, 11 total touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

The Louisville graduate is playing like a franchise quarterback and has the backing of his teammates. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara had only positive things to say about Shough during a recent appearance on “The Set with Terron Armstead” podcast.

Tyler [Shough] is a super mature dude. Where everybody is looking for the production in the field, I look at the intangible stuff. Like, Tyler’s personality. It plays to his advantage, for as serious a job as he has to come in and do.

Alvin Kamara said

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is a Saints fan for at least the next 24 hours.

Mayfield has been stuck in a Groundhog Day scenario. Last year, he had to count on Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders to give them an edge going into Week 18 football.

Ironically, the Commanders did the Bucs a favor by defeating the Falcons of all teams.

Shough will certainly start as the underdog against the Falcons. Kirk Cousins and the Falcons ended the Los Angeles Rams’ push for a division crown last week with a 27-24 victory.

The Saints only need to avoid a defeat for the Buccaneers to qualify for the playoffs and win the NFC South. Meanwhile, the Panthers would be rooting for the Falcons to defeat the Saints and enjoy postseason football after an eight-year gap.

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