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Saints–Buccaneers rivalry
NFC South Rivalry

Saints–Buccaneers

Gulf Coast NFC South feud

Matchup:Saints–Buccaneers
First Meeting:1977
Division:NFC South
2026 Meetings:2

An NFC South series between two Gulf Coast franchises whose history stretches back to the 1970s. It has featured franchise-defining moments for both clubs, including a playoff meeting that helped launch a Super Bowl run.

The Rivalry

The teams first met in 1977, a landmark game because Tampa Bay's 33-14 win was the first victory in franchise history, ending an NFL-record 26-game losing streak. Though not divisional rivals at first, the Saints and Buccaneers played every season from the early 1980s into the 1990s, with New Orleans winning most of those contests. The 2002 realignment placed both teams in the new NFC South, beginning an annual home-and-home series. The Sean Payton and Drew Brees era brought sustained New Orleans success, while Tampa Bay's signing of Tom Brady in 2020 reignited the rivalry. Their lone playoff meeting came after the 2020 season, when the Buccaneers won despite a regular-season sweep by the Saints.

What's at Stake

As a divisional matchup, both games carry direct weight in an NFC South race that often hinges on head-to-head outcomes. New Orleans and Tampa sit within driving range along the Gulf Coast, so visiting fans turn out in strength twice a year.

Famous Moments

  • 1977 — Tampa Bay's 33-14 win was the first victory in Buccaneers franchise history.
  • 2006 — Reggie Bush scored on a 65-yard punt return to lift New Orleans past Tampa Bay.
  • 2018 — Tampa Bay won 48-40 in New Orleans, the highest-scoring game in the rivalry.
  • 2021 — In their only playoff meeting, the Buccaneers beat the Saints 30-20 in the NFC Divisional Round.
  • 2024 — Tampa Bay defeated New Orleans 51-27, a franchise record for points scored against the Saints.

The Saints–Buccaneers Games in 2026

The Two Teams

Plan the Trip

This rivalry connects two of the Gulf Coast's most distinctive football cities. The Saints host in the Caesars Superdome, an iconic domed stadium near the French Quarter. The Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the famous pirate ship and a short trip from Gulf beaches.

Frequently Asked Questions: Saints–Buccaneers

The two teams first met in 1977. An NFC South series between two Gulf Coast franchises whose history stretches back to the 1970s. It has featured franchise-defining moments for both clubs, including a playoff meeting that helped launch a Super Bowl run.

As a divisional matchup, both games carry direct weight in an NFC South race that often hinges on head-to-head outcomes. New Orleans and Tampa sit within driving range along the Gulf Coast, so visiting fans turn out in strength twice a year.

Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.

New Orleans Saints host at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans; Tampa Bay Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Sources

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