By Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
All signs this offseason pointed to the New Orleans Saints being a Super Bowl contender, but the team received a huge wakeup call in Week 1.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Saints, 48-40, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday as New Orleans lost its season opener for the fifth straight year.
Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, filling in for the suspended Jameis Winston, had an incredible game, and the Saints defense that showed significant improvement in 2017 suddenly looked more like the groups from 2014-16.
The Saints offense had plenty of highlights, but lost fumbles by wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Mike Gillislee limited an otherwise impressive day. ...
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