The New Orleans Saints, trailing 10-7 to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime, quickly tied the game at 10 in the third quarter, driving 43 yards in four and a half minutes to get an equalizing 45-yard field goal from Garrett Hartley.
Buccaneers Vs. Saints: Teams Trade Field Goals To Open Third Quarter
On the ensuing kickoff, Michael Spurlock returned a kickoff 69 yards to set the Bucs up at New Orleans’ 33-yard line. Josh Freeman was only able to move the Bucs a further 18 yards, but Connor Barth was true from 32 yards out to give the Bucs a 13-10 lead.
Drew Brees has completed 15 of 29 passes for 143 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, in this contest. He’s been out-dueled by Freeman, who is 15 of 19 for 170 yards, with a touchdown and a lost fumble on the day.
Each team needs a win badly today, though clearly, the Bucs - in need of a win and lots of help from the Giants and Packers in the form of losses - have a bigger urgency to get the job done today. Eight minutes remain in the third quarter, with playoff implications ripening for both clubs - even with the Falcons firmly in control over the Panthers.
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