Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2021 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-31, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 36–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -0.23 total EPA, and +0.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Winston (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-28.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (1:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 26-P.Williams at TB 40. 26-P.Williams for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Winston · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +7.37 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.56 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Grayson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.22 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.22 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
6. 6 G. Bernard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.52 EPA/play
7. 7 K. White · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.42 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Harris · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Godwin (T. Brady pass) (Q1 53:35)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (J. Winston pass) (Q1 47:46)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Armah (T. Siemian pass) (Q2 30:30)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q3 24:07)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — G. Bernard (T. Brady pass) (Q3 20:39)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (T. Brady pass) (Q3 16:22)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Grayson (T. Brady pass) (Q4 5:52)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Williams (Q4 1:36)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — B. Johnson (Q2 32:24)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Johnson (Q4 8:34)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Johnson (Q4 1:44)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Brady (Q4 1:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q1 53:35) — (8:35) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 8; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 53:28) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 16 (Q1 47:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass deep left to 10-T.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN [45-D.White]. Pass 16, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 47:39) — 6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 9–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 5 (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 6-B.Johnson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q2 30:30) — (:30) 76-C.Throckmorton reported in as eligible. 15-T.Siemian pass short left to 40-A.Armah for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1.

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q3 24:07) — (9:07) 41-A.Kamara left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 24:01) — 6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q3 20:39) — (5:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 25-G.Bernard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 5; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 20:33) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 41 (Q3 16:22); Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 16:15) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 16–6. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 16 (Q4 8:34) — (8:34) 6-B.Johnson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 50 (Q4 5:52) — (5:52) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Grayson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 35, YAC 15; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 5 (Q4 1:44) — (1:44) 6-B.Johnson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 75 (Q4 1:41) — (1:41) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete deep left to 13-M.Evans.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 75 (Q4 1:36); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 1:24) — 6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 26-P.Williams at TB 40. 26-P.Williams for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -28.3% · EPA -7.87]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:52) — (5:52) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Grayson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 35, YAC 15 [WPA +26.0% · EPA +4.22]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 22-C.Gardner-Johnson at NO 39. 22-C.Gardner-Johnson to TB 35 for 26 yards (78-T.Wirfs). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.78]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 39:29) — (9:29) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 18-T.Johnson pushed ob at NO 35 for 31 yards (5-K.Alexander). Pass 15, YAC 16 [WPA +13.4% · EPA +3.62]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 37:42) — (7:42) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NO 39 for -8 yards (94-C.Jordan). FUMBLES (94-C.Jordan) [94-C.Jordan], RECOVERED by NO-93-D.Onyemata at NO 37. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -5.05]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 26-P.Williams at TB 40. 26-P.Williams for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -28.3% · EPA -7.87]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 22-C.Gardner-Johnson at NO 39. 22-C.Gardner-Johnson to TB 35 for 26 yards (78-T.Wirfs). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.78]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 37:42) — (7:42) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NO 39 for -8 yards (94-C.Jordan). FUMBLES (94-C.Jordan) [94-C.Jordan], RECOVERED by NO-93-D.Onyemata at NO 37. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -5.05]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 16:22) — (1:22) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-23-M.Lattimore, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 39, YAC 2 [WPA +12.3% · EPA +4.60]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 44 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +0.4% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.23 total EPA
• T.Siemian (New Orleans Saints) · 34 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -4.1% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.70 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +3.13 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, -6.39 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New Orleans Saints leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Winston (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Siemian (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 53:35 · NO 12 · Score 6-0
   (8:35) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 8
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 53:28 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
   3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 47:46 · TB 16 · Score 7-6
   (2:46) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass deep left to 10-T.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN [45-D.White]. Pass 16, YAC 0
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 47:39 · TB 15 · Score 7-7
   6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
5. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 32:24 · TB 5 · Score 7-10
   (2:24) 6-B.Johnson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:30 · TB 1 · Score 7-16
   (:30) 76-C.Throckmorton reported in as eligible. 15-T.Siemian pass short left to 40-A.Armah for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:07 · TB 1 · Score 7-22
   (9:07) 41-A.Kamara left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:01 · TB 15 · Score 7-23
   6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 20:39 · NO 7 · Score 13-23
   (5:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 25-G.Bernard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 5
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 20:33 · NO 15 · Score 14-23
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 16:22 · NO 41 · Score 20-23
    (1:22) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-23-M.Lattimore, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 39,
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 16:15 · NO 15 · Score 21-23
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Tinker, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 8:34 · TB 16 · Score 21-26
    (8:34) 6-B.Johnson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 5:52 · NO 50 · Score 27-26
    (5:52) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 15-C.Grayson for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 35, YAC 15
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 1:44 · TB 5 · Score 27-29
    (1:44) 6-B.Johnson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 1:41 · NO 75 · Score 27-29
    (1:41) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete deep left to 13-M.Evans.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:36 · NO 75 · Score 27-35
    (1:36) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 14-C.Godwin INTERCEPTED by 26-P.Williams at TB 40. 26-P.Williams for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:24 · TB 15 · Score 27-36
    6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.