The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoped to avenge their Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints in a rematch on Sunday night. They came up well short.

New Orleans crushed the Bucs, scoring 31 unanswered points in the first half and cruising to a 38-3 victory.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians did not have much to say after the game, other than acknowledging his team was totally overwhelmed by the Saints:

“It was shocking,” Arians said, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “To know just watch[ing] us practice, the way we practiced all week, the confidence we had coming in. . . . I give New Orleans credit. They kicked our ass in every phase. . . . Everything. Offense, defense, special teams.”

The Saints outgained the Buccaneers 420-194 in terms of total yards. New Orleans also converted nine of 15 third-down attempts, while Tampa Bay was just 1-for-9 on third down.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees sparkled, completing 26 of 32 pass attempts for 222 yards and four touchdowns. New Orleans also dominated the trenches, as Brees was sacked just once by a usually dominant Bucs defensive front.

Tom Brady, meanwhile, was harassed into three interceptions and look rattled all night. He was also brought down three times.

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Arians said the Buccaneers frustrated with the loss, but also noted the importance of moving past Sunday's dismal performance:

“Everybody’s pissed off,” Arians said, via Florio. “But too late now, we’ve got to get ready for Carolina. . . . [The loss] can’t carry over to Wednesday. It has to be gone by Monday, and hit the practice field and get ready for Carolina.”

Tampa Bay entered the contest in the driver's seat in the NFC South after winning each of its last three.

But the Saints took a half-game lead in the division, and have even more momentum after winning their fifth straight game.

These two teams are likely to duke it out until the bitter end, and Arians hopes his team will respond after such a poor showing on Sunday.