The Tom Brady-led Buccaneers failed to deliver on high expectations Sunday afternoon, losing their season opener to the Saints by a score of 34-23.
In a lot of ways, it was another case of the Bucs beating the Bucs, with penalties, blown assignments, turnovers, and a blocked field goal leading to their downfall. Not to take anything away from the Saints, who are very talented, the Bucs could have—and perhaps should have—won this game without the self-inflicted wounds. They were just too sloppy to come away with the victory in New Orleans.