The scenario for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday was simple. Win, and make the postseason.
The Saints had other ideas. New Orleans opened a 20-0 lead then held on for a 23-13 win over the Bucs to keep the NFC South division title in play and their own playoff hopes afloat.
The Buccaneers are still in control of their postseason path. A win against the Carolina Panthers next week would clinch the division. But the loss opened the door for the Saints, who can clinch the NFC South with a win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18 alongside a Bucs loss.
The Saints came out of the gates on Sunday like a team with something to play for. Derek Carr led a 14-play, 73-yard drive on the game's opening possession that concluded with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Juwan Johnson.
A second-quarter drive saw Carr find Taysom Hill for a 22-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.
New Orleans' defense, meanwhile, forced three three-and outs and and intercepted Baker Mayfield on four first-half Bucs possessions before Tampa Bay knelt the ball to mercifully end a first half that the Saints led, 17-0.
The Bucs would eventually get on the board with a Mayfield touchdown pass to Trey Palmer in the fourth quarter. They added another score on a 47-yard pass from Mayfield to Chris Godwin with 1:37 remaining.
But it was too little to late. The ensuing two-point conversion and onside kick failed, allowing the Saints to run out the clock. A swarming Saints defense forced four Bucs turnovers including two Mayfield interceptions, while Carr helmed a steady Saints offense that put up 23 points and didn't turn the ball over.