Nov 8, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (24) defends New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback had fun at the expense of New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas following their Divisional Round matchup.
In their two regular-season meetings this year, the New Orleans Saints pulled off two decisive victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But when it comes to who got the victory that mattered most, it was the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay defeated New Orleans 30-20 in the Divisional Round to advance to the NFC Championship Game, thanks in part to a dominant defensive performance.
If you wanted to know just how much of a pain the Buccaneers defense was, just look at the stat-line of Saints receiver Michael Thomas. The fifth-year wideout was targeted four times by quarterback Drew Brees and couldn’t haul in any of those passes.
As Thomas was getting slandered across multiple social media platforms, Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis piled on by sarcastically calling him “slant boy.”
Buccaneers defense showed up when it mattered most
While this matchup was dubbed the battle between Tom Brady and Drew Brees, it was truly a fight between their defenses. But of the two, the Buccaneers were far superior.
In the second quarter, Brees targeted Thomas on a short route on the third play of the drive, but was picked off by cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. That allowed Brady to hit receiver Mike Evans for a three-yard touchdown on the ensuing play to give the Buccaneers a 10-6 lead. While the Saints did take a 20-13 lead in the third quarter, the wheels fell off after a fumble by tight end Jared Cook. Brees would throw two interceptions on New Orleans’ final two drives of the game to officially eliminate them from the playoffs.
This Buccaneers defense, coached by coordinator Todd Bowles, scored 21 points off three turnovers. That’s what won them the game and it’s the reason why Bowles is being considered for the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coaching job.
The Buccaneers will head to Lambeau Field next weekend to face the Green Bay Packers for a spot in Super Bowl 55. While Tampa Bay handedly defeated Green Bay back in Week 6, they now have to face a red-hot Aaron Rodgers who picked apart the best defense in the league in the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend. Davis and company shut down Thomas, but now they’ll have to try to do the same to wide receiver Davante Adams. Trust us when we say, that will be no easy feat.