Saints vs Buccaneers Predictions, Start Time and Key Storylines for NFL Week 14

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on December 7, 2025, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS. Saints vs Buccaneers predictions lean toward Tampa Bay, as the 7-5 Bucs look to extend their NFC South lead over the 2-10 Saints.

Tampa Bay has been strong at home this season, while New Orleans continues to struggle on offense under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. With Baker Mayfield settled in as the Bucs’ starter and rookie Tyler Shough guiding the Saints, this matchup shapes up as a contrast between a team chasing another division title and one already eliminated from playoff contention.

Saints vs Buccaneers predictions and start time breakdown

The basic setup is clear. Tampa Bay enters Week 14 at 7-5 and atop the NFC South, while New Orleans sits at 2-10 and in last place in the division. The game is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium, with CBS carrying the broadcast nationally.

New Orleans averages 15.2 points per game and allows 24.6 points per game through 12 contests, one of the weakest scoring profiles in the league. Tampa Bay has scored 279 points and allowed 301 this year, roughly 23 points scored and 25 points allowed per game, but has found ways to win tight contests and stay in control of the division.

Tyler Shough remains a central storyline for the Saints. The rookie has flashed potential in recent weeks after taking over at quarterback, but he faces a top-10 Buccaneers defense by several advanced metrics and a hostile environment on the road. Tampa Bay’s front, led by playmakers at all three levels, has forced key turnovers during the team’s midseason surge.

Matchup details, stats and multiple score predictions

Both teams know each other well after Tampa Bay’s convincing 23-3 win in New Orleans back in Week 8. That result extended the Bucs’ recent head-to-head momentum after years of Saints dominance in the series. New Orleans will try to adjust after struggling to protect the quarterback and sustain drives in that first meeting.

On paper, the Buccaneers have the more balanced profile. They are 7-5 overall, 1st in the NFC South, and have turned Raymond James Stadium into an advantage behind their home crowd. The Saints, at 2-10 and already eliminated from playoff contention, have dropped several games by double digits and rank near the bottom of the league in scoring.

Baker Mayfield’s home–road splits add further context. At home he has generally pushed the ball downfield more efficiently, supported by an improving offensive line and a developing run game with backs like Bucky Irving. New Orleans, meanwhile, has leaned on rookie back Devin Neal and short passing concepts to help Shough, but inconsistency in pass protection and finishing drives has kept production low.

Taking all of that into account, here are three grounded prediction scorelines, framed as matchup outcomes rather than any form of wagering or advice:

• Primary projection: Buccaneers 27, Saints 17.
  Tampa Bay’s offense does enough at home, with Mayfield repeatedly targeting Chris Godwin and the tight ends on intermediate routes. The Saints move the ball in spurts with Shough but stall in the red zone, reflecting their season-long scoring struggles.
• Lower-scoring defensive tilt: Buccaneers 23, Saints 13.
  In this scenario, Tampa Bay’s front seven controls the line of scrimmage, forcing Shough into checkdowns and third-and-long situations. The Bucs protect the ball, lean on a steady run game in the second half, and grind out a two-score victory.
• Higher-variance shootout: Buccaneers 31, Saints 20.
  If early possessions open up the field, both teams could trade touchdowns before Tampa’s deeper roster takes control. A short field off a takeaway or big return could push the score higher than season averages, but the gap in overall roster stability still favors the Bucs.

All three projections share a consistent logic: Tampa Bay’s more efficient offense, stronger home form, and sturdier defense create multiple paths to a one- to two-possession victory. New Orleans can keep the game competitive if Shough avoids turnovers and the Saints’ offensive line holds up, but recent trends suggest Tampa Bay is better equipped in key situations.

How this game could shape the NFC South race

The broader implications center on the NFC South race and each team’s trajectory. The Buccaneers are chasing a fifth straight division title and a sixth straight playoff appearance, with every December win critical to securing home-field positioning and avoiding a crowded wild-card picture.

For the Saints, this matchup is less about postseason stakes and more about evaluation. Kellen Moore’s first season has been defined by offensive inconsistency and narrow losses, and the staff needs more data on Shough, the rookie offensive linemen, and a handful of young playmakers against a playoff-caliber defense. Strong performances in Tampa could influence offseason decisions at quarterback, along the offensive line, and in the secondary.

There is also a psychological angle. The Saints once dominated this rivalry with long winning streaks, but the Buccaneers have seized control recently, including the Week 8 road win in New Orleans. Another comfortable Tampa Bay victory would reinforce a shifting balance of power inside the division, while a Saints upset would at least disrupt the Bucs’ march toward another crown.

In summary, most indicators point toward Tampa Bay taking care of business at home, with Saints vs Buccaneers predictions clustering around a one- to two-score Buccaneers win. New Orleans still has enough young talent to make this interesting, but the combination of Mayfield’s home form, Tampa Bay’s defense, and the stakes in the NFC South give the Bucs a clear edge heading into kickoff.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time does Saints vs Buccaneers start in Week 14?

The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 7, 2025. It will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with CBS carrying the broadcast.

Q2: Who is favored in most Saints vs Buccaneers predictions?

Most analytical previews and team-based projections point to Tampa Bay as the stronger side because of its 7-5 record, home-field advantage, and more reliable offense. The Saints’ 2-10 record and low scoring average make them an underdog on paper, even if rivalry games can be unpredictable.

Q3: Which players could decide Saints vs Buccaneers in Week 14?

Baker Mayfield’s efficiency, especially on third down and in the red zone, will be pivotal for Tampa Bay. For New Orleans, Tyler Shough’s decision-making and how well the offensive line protects him will likely determine whether the Saints can keep pace or fall behind early.

Q4: How important is this game for the NFC South standings?

A Buccaneers win would strengthen their position at the top of the NFC South and move them closer to another division title. A Saints win would not fix their 2025 season but could disrupt Tampa Bay’s path and provide a morale boost for New Orleans’ young core.

Q5: Can the Saints’ offense keep up with Tampa Bay on the road?

New Orleans has averaged just over 15 points per game this season, so matching or exceeding Tampa Bay’s typical home output will require clean execution and red-zone efficiency. If the Saints limit mistakes and generate explosive plays, they can stay close, but recent results suggest that will be a challenge.