Final / OT · Kickoff
2002 Regular season · Week 1 · Raymond James Stadium
Historical final score from the WHYNFL results archive. WHYNFL preserves the team labels of the time and converts supplied Eastern kickoff times. Team links open today's franchise hubs. Historical box scores and play-by-play are not supplied.
Explore the 2002 regular season
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–20 on the road at Raymond James Stadium in overtime in Week 1 of the 2002 regular season on September 8, 2002. It was a one-score game at the finish, decided by 6 points.
It was one of three games of Week 1 to need overtime.
The result moved the Saints to 1–0 and dropped the Buccaneers to 0–1. The Saints finished 2002 at 9–7 and missed the playoffs. The Buccaneers finished 2002 at 12–4 and won Super Bowl XXXVII.
In their previous meeting, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 48–21 on December 23, 2001. When they met again, the New Orleans Saints won 23–20 on December 1, 2002.
Written by WHYNFL from the final scores in its results archive, which begins with the 1999 season. Records, streaks and season results count regular-season and playoff finals.
Series Buccaneers lead the series 2–1 after meeting No. 3 since 1999 Full series history
Dallas spent its long break after Thursday's 24–16 home defeat reviewing all three phases. The owner says nobody is being fired before the October 18 trip to Green Bay.
New Orleans also called up receiver Cedric Tillman and tackle Easton Kilty from the practice squad for Sunday's home game against Minnesota.
Todd Bowles put the Pro Bowl safety's absence at two to four weeks, which takes him out of Thursday night's game in Dallas as Tampa Bay tries to avoid an 0–5 start.
