In one of the biggest upsets of the season (a bold claim in Week 1, I know), the Buccaneers went into the Superdome and dropped 48 points on New Orleans on their way to a 48-40 victory. Wily veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, in for the suspended Jameis Winston, lit up the Saints' secondary, completing 21 of 28 attempts for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Saints' defense, for so long something of a sieve, was much improved in 2017, finishing 15th in passing yards allowed. The most points they allowed in a single game were 38. A team had not hung a forty burger on the Saints since Week 15 of the 2016 season, when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 48-41.
Only once in the Saints history have they allowed more points in a Week 1 fixture. Back in 1973, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Saints 62-7.
The Saints will hope to get back on track in Week 2, when they welcome the Cleveland Browns. In their Week 1 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed only 15 of 40 pass attempts for 197 yards, although weather was a factor.