In the luxurious suites of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht pondered the resilience of his team in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Displaced for nearly a week, the players and coaches had endured a series of temporary living arrangements in New Orleans, culminating in their presence at the iconic stadium.
“They’d come out of the gate against the Saints like Secretariat,” Licht mused, reflecting on the team’s impressive start to the game. However, their 17–0 lead quickly dissipated, with a punt return, interceptions by Baker Mayfield, and Spencer Rattler’s first NFL touchdown pass propelling the New Orleans Saints to a 20–17 lead in the second quarter.
As doubts crept in about the Buccaneers’ stamina, Licht couldn’t help but consider the parallels between their game and their tumultuous week. “I thought it was going to be a little bit like the week,” Licht remarked, “where it started out fine, nothing’s going to happen, and then the s— hits the fan.”
The dramatic turn of events only added to the intrigue of the Buccaneers’ week, underscoring the team’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity. High above the field, amidst the excitement and uncertainty, one thing was clear: the Buccaneers were not ready to back down.
