The Buccaneers stumble and recover in a 51-27 victory over the Saints

The Buccaneers will find a lot of things not to like when they watch the film from Sunday's game in New Orleans, but they will like the result.

After blowing a 17-0 lead at the end of the first half and trailing 27-24, the Buccaneers scored their only 27 points in the second half to secure a 51-27 victory over the Saints. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a big hand on every swing.

Mayfield threw a touchdown to Chris Godwin to score the touchdown, but then threw three interceptions in the second quarter to help the Saints erase Tampa's big lead. Two of the three picks were off deflections and the bounces were better for Mayfield after the break. He hit Godwin for a short pass that the wideout broke through for a 55-yard score, then fought through long enough to find tight end Cade Otton for his fourth touchdown pass of the day.

Mayfield was 24 of 36 for 325 total yards and Sean Tucker had 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown. He also had three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, while Bucky Irving rushed for 81 yards and a score. That may not bode well for Rachaad White, who will play an outsized role in the offense once he's healthy enough to return.

The Bucs managed 594 total yards, so it's safe to say this would have been a much quieter win if it weren't for the three turnovers.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler had some good moments in the first half, but the Buccaneers' defense gave him trouble in the final two quarters and he threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter to end any hope of another comeback. The loss is the Saints' third in a row and their defense has been under pressure in the last two games by the Chiefs and Bucs.

They won't have long to lick their wounds, as they'll play the Broncos on Thursday night in Sean Payton's return to New Orleans. They may not have wide receiver Chris Olave, who has been ruled out after a concussion exam, and quarterback Derek Carr's oblique injury could result in Rattler having to start again in this contest.

The Buccaneers will have additional time to rest before facing the Ravens on Monday night in week seven.