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NFL · Wild Card · January 17, 2021 · 12 min read

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2020 Wild Card Recap

Buccaneers defeat Saints 30–20 in Wild Card

Tyron Smith led Fantasy Impact as Buccaneers prevailed in a 30–20 Wild Card finish.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30 13–5 Winner
Final 30–20
New Orleans Saints 20 13–5
Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
30–20
Halftime
Tied 13–13 at halftime
Top passer
D. Brees
FantasyHQ MVP
Tyron Smith
Game date
January 17, 2021

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Leonard Fournette
    Leonard Fournette 5 REC · 44 YDS · 1 TD +5.5 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Brady 18/34 · 189 YDS · 2 TD +3.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Tysheem Johnson
    Tysheem Johnson 1 REC · 15 YDS +2.4 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • Tyron Smith
    Tyron Smith 3 REC · 85 YDS · 2 TD +9.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Jameis Winston
    Jameis Winston 1/1 · 56 YDS · 1 TD +4.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Eli Sanders 6 REC · 48 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact
View Buccaneers vs Saints box score View all 2020 NFL game recaps

Game story

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 30–20 in the Wild Card of the 2020 NFL season on 2021-01-17, a matchup that built a comfortable lead. The decisive swing (-24.5% win probability) came in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints swung the momentum.

In the Wild Card of the 2020 NFL season on 2021-01-17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 30–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -20.64 total EPA, and -15.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Smith (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.17 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-24.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (7:18) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 45-D.White at NO 48. 45-D.White pushed ob at NO 20 for 28 yards (12-M.Callaway).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers013710030
New Orleans Saints6770020

Stars of the game

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

  1. 1 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.17 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.06 EPA/play
  2. 2 L. Fournette · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.50 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
  3. 3 J. Winston · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +4.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.64 EPA/play
  4. 4 T. Brady · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +3.61 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  5. 5 T. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.44 EPA/play
  6. 6 C. Brate · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
  7. 7 E. Sanders · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.17 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
  8. 8 S. Miller · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play

Player of the game

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

T. Smith — NO · Receiving

T. Smith posted the highest total EPA (+9.17) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +3.06 EPA per play.

The signature play (-7.67 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (11:31) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 13-M.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 23-S.Murphy-Bunting at NO 39. 23-S.Murphy-Bunting ran ob at NO 3 for 36 yards (78-E.McCoy).

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (T. Brady pass) (Q2 41:20)
  • New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (J. Winston pass) (Q2 38:17)
  • New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q3 24:50)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — L. Fournette (T. Brady pass) (Q3 17:26)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — T. Brady (Q4 5:01)

Field goals

  • New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 56:34)
  • New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 49:44)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Succop (Q2 43:00)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Succop (Q2 30:03)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Succop (Q4 9:57)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 5 (Q1 56:34) — (11:34) 3-W.Lutz 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 24 (Q1 49:44) — (4:44) 3-W.Lutz 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 13–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 8 (Q2 43:00) — (13:00) 3-R.Succop 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q2 41:20) — (11:20) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 41:16) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 56 (Q2 38:17); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 38:08) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-R.Succop 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 16 (Q3 24:50) — (9:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 24:43) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q3 17:26) — (2:26) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-L.Fournette for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 2; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 17:22) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q4 9:57) — (9:57) 3-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) 73-J.Haeg reported in as eligible. 12-T.Brady left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 4:57) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

Turning points

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

  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:18) — (7:18) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 45-D.White at NO 48. 45-D.White pushed ob at NO 20 for 28 yards (12-M.Callaway). [WPA -24.5% · EPA -6.22]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 41:31) — (11:31) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 13-M.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 23-S.Murphy-Bunting at NO 39. 23-S.Murphy-Bunting ran ob at NO 3 for 36 yards (78-E.McCoy). [WPA -24.1% · EPA -7.67]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 38:17) — (8:17) (Shotgun) 74-J.Hurst reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 41-A.Kamara. 2-J.Winston pass deep middle to 10-T.Smith for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 28. 41-A.Kamara handoff to 17-E.Sander [WPA +17.2% · EPA +4.64]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 11:57) — (11:57) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 10-S.Miller to NO 31 for 29 yards (43-M.Williams). Penalty on NO-23-M.Lattimore, Defensive Holding, declined. Pass 27, YAC 2 [WPA +14.0% · EPA +2.92]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 13:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 18-T.Johnson ran ob at TB 35 for 15 yards. Pass 14, YAC 1 [WPA +10.6% · EPA +2.44]

Impact plays

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

  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 41:31) — (11:31) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 13-M.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 23-S.Murphy-Bunting at NO 39. 23-S.Murphy-Bunting ran ob at NO 3 for 36 yards (78-E.McCoy). [WPA -24.1% · EPA -7.67]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:18) — (7:18) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 45-D.White at NO 48. 45-D.White pushed ob at NO 20 for 28 yards (12-M.Callaway). [WPA -24.5% · EPA -6.22]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 87-J.Cook to TB 47 for 8 yards (31-A.Winfield). FUMBLES (31-A.Winfield), RECOVERED by TB-45-D.White at TB 42. 45-D.White pushed ob at NO 40 for 18 yards [WPA -10.4% · EPA -5.46]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 38:17) — (8:17) (Shotgun) 74-J.Hurst reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 41-A.Kamara. 2-J.Winston pass deep middle to 10-T.Smith for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 28. 41-A.Kamara handoff to 17-E.Sander [WPA +17.2% · EPA +4.64]

Quarterback report card

D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 37 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -15.5% CPOE · -0.56 EPA/play · -20.64 total EPA
  • T.Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · -9.1% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.61 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

StatTampa Bay BuccaneersNew Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play-0.026-0.200
Offensive success rate43.8%44.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.106-0.421
Rush EPA/play-0.009+0.052
Defensive EPA/play+0.200+0.026
Defensive success rate55.8%56.2%

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.20), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

  • New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -15.38 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -2.34 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
  • T. Smith (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
  • D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
  • T. Brady (TB) 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. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 56:34 · TB 5 · Score 0-3
    (11:34) 3-W.Lutz 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  2. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 49:44 · TB 24 · Score 0-6
    (4:44) 3-W.Lutz 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 43:00 · NO 8 · Score 3-6
    (13:00) 3-R.Succop 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 41:20 · NO 3 · Score 9-6
    (11:20) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 41:16 · NO 15 · Score 10-6
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
  6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 38:17 · TB 56 · Score 10-12
    (8:17) (Shotgun) 74-J.Hurst reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 41-A.Kamara. 2-J.Winston pass deep middle to 10-T.Smith for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YA
  7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 38:08 · TB 15 · Score 10-13
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · NO 19 · Score 13-13
    (:03) 3-R.Succop 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
  9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:50 · TB 16 · Score 13-19
    (9:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:43 · TB 15 · Score 13-20
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 17:26 · NO 6 · Score 19-20
    (2:26) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 28-L.Fournette for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 2
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 17:22 · NO 15 · Score 20-20
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 9:57 · NO 18 · Score 23-20
    (9:57) 3-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 5:01 · NO 1 · Score 29-20
    (5:01) 73-J.Haeg reported in as eligible. 12-T.Brady left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 4:57 · NO 15 · Score 30-20
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 30-20 in Wild Card, 2020 on 2021-01-17.

What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New Orleans Saints 20 (TB 30-20 NO) in Wild Card, 2020 on 2021-01-17.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, New Orleans Saints 6; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13, New Orleans Saints 7; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, New Orleans Saints 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New Orleans Saints 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (T. Brady pass) (Q2 41:20) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Kamara (J. Winston pass) (Q2 38:17) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q3 24:50) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — L. Fournette (T. Brady pass) (Q3 17:26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — T. Brady (Q4 5:01) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 56:34, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 49:44, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Succop (Q2 43:00, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Succop (Q2 30:03, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Succop (Q4 9:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 51.4% completion, -15.5% CPOE, -0.56 EPA per dropback, -20.64 total passing EPA. T. Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 52.9% completion, -9.1% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +3.61 total passing EPA.

Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?

T. Smith (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +9.17 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.67 EPA): (11:31) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 13-M.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 23-S.Murphy-Bunting at NO 39. 23-S.Murphy-Bunting ran ob at NO 3 for 36 yards (78-E.McCoy).. The biggest win-probability swing was -24.5%.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 12-5 Now 13-5 W

New Orleans Saints

Entered 13-4 Now 13-5 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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