NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tampa Bay’s edge rusher Anthony Nelson delivered a standout performance, intercepting a pass for a touchdown, forcing a fumble, and notching two sacks, while Sean Tucker’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down propelled the Buccaneers to a decisive 23-3 victory over the struggling New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Antoine Winfield Jr. added to the Buccaneers’ (6-2) defensive dominance with a fumble recovery and an interception, as they capitalized on four turnovers and contributed to the departure of Saints’ second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler from the game.

Rookie QB Tyler Shough was introduced by first-year Saints coach Kellen Moore late in the third quarter, yet the change failed to spark a turnaround for New Orleans (1-7). The Saints’ dismal record now matches the New York Jets and Tennessee as the worst in the NFL.

Tampa Bay’s quarterback, Baker Mayfield, who earlier in the week criticized the Saints for not playing “clean,” delivered a sufficient performance to guide his team to a comfortable win, despite some challenges faced by the Buccaneers’ offense.

The Saints momentarily held the Buccaneers at bay, preserving a scoreless tie in the second quarter by successfully defending four goal-to-go attempts from the 1-yard line. However, they conceded a defensive touchdown to Nelson just a few plays later.

Rattler was rolling right and appeared to have tight end Foster Moreau open in the flat, but Nelson — who started because of Haason Reddick’s ankle and knee injuries — tipped Rattler’s pass to himself for his first career interception. The seventh-year pro then flattened the Saints QB while basically walking into the end zone to make it 7-0.

The Bucs appeared to have taken a 14-0 lead on a second defensive touchdown when Winfield recovered receiver Rashid Shaheed’s fumble on the New Orleans 47 and returned it to the end zone. But an inadvertent whistle wiped out Winfield’s return, and a few plays later, Saints defensive end Chase Young forced and recovered a fumble by Mayfield.

The Saints converted that turnover into Blake Grupe’s 48-yard field goal that made it 7-3 at halftime.

Tucker’s TD came after the Saints had stopped Mayfield and Co. three more times from the 1 in the third quarter.

Chase McLaughlin kicked three second-half field goals from 52 or more yards to help the Bucs pull away from there.

Rattler, who fell to 1-13 in career NFL starts, competed 15 of 21 passes for 136 yards. He also lost the fumble forced by Nelson.

Shough completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards. The second-round draft choice also was intercepted when his accurate pass to Chris Olave was ripped away by Winfield.

Injuries

Buccaneers: CB Jacob Parrish was treated on the field in the fourth quarter, but walked off on his own.

Saints: CB Alontae Taylor briefly received attention in a blue injury tent kin the fourth quarter, but remained in uniform on the sideline. … DT Bryan Bresee also received apparent concussion tests on the sideline in the final minutes, when Shaheed also hobbled off with an apparent leg injury.

Up next

Buccaneers: Have a Week 9 bye before hosting New England on Nov. 9.

Saints: Visit the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.