10:44 PM
On a night when they were looking to win their first division title since 2007, they lost their two Pro Bowl receivers in the first half and were shut out for the first time in Tom Brady's career.
The 9-0 defeat to the Saints marked only the third shoutout of Brady's NFL career with him as the starter, and the first since Week 14 of the 2006 season, when he was a member of the New England Pats and facing the Miami Dolphins.
Brady's top two targets were ruled out of the second half. In the second quarter, Evans injured his hamstring after leaping over the middle against Lattimore, and Godwin injured his knee after falling awkwardly after colliding with P.J. Williams.
Leonard Fournette, who has been bothered by an ankle injury, was hurt in the third quarter. He needed the help of two trainers to get to the locker room.
Breshad Perriman and Antonio Brown were both placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.
The Bucs were shut out in the first half for the first time this season and just the third time since Brady joined the team, but they were still averaging a league-high 31.54 points per game.
The second-largest favorite to be shut out in the Super Bowl Era was tied for the lead with the Tampa Bay.
Heading into Sunday, Godwin had 1,054 receiving yards, fourth most in the league. Evans had 11 receiving touchdown, which was second most in the league.
