Tag Archives: massachusetts

Wendel: A dreadful UMass season by the numbers

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Tuesday put an end to a season that the Massachusetts football team will soon look to forget. A 45-14 loss to Bowling Green secured the 2025 Minutemen (0-12, 0-8 Mid-American) in the doldrums of college football history, as they became just the fourth FBS team in the past decade to finish a season 0-12. “I think I just got to sit down and look at everything [in the offseason],” head coach Joe Harasymiak said. “Got to get [a] better roster and then everything else will fall into place.” The stats of the game paint a picture no different from the previous 11. UMass was soundly outplayed by the Falcons (4-8, 2-6 MAC), giving up 278 rushing yards and falling behind by two touchdowns before seven minutes had passed. When its offense took the field, it could only muster 14 points, still qualifying as one of its best showings of the year. In honor of the season of giving and the 12 losses that the Minutemen finished the season with, I feel it’s time to play the numbers game with this team. Counting down from 12, I’ll point out how each digit got woven into the fabric of UMass’ season, from the obvious ones to the more concealed. Let’s reflect. 12: defensive players, kickers and punters combined appeared in all 12 games for the Minutemen this season. Forget an injury bug: it was more of an injury plague that infected Harasymiak’s squad in 2025, with the coach mentioning that 20 players suffered season-ending injuries. In the press box for the season opener against Temple, I remember finding out that both Joshua Nobles and Zachary Franks were out for the season before ever playing a down. That moment should have set off alarms in my head that UMass was going to struggle with its overall health this season. It didn’t, so every week brought new surprises and new thoughts of how this team could get by with an injury list that could fill up a classroom. 11: minutes before 5: 00 on Tuesday, any last hope of a Minutemen win this season vanished. The timestamp puts us at the 8: 30 mark of the opening quarter, where on a second-and-7, Bowling Green wide receiver Brennan Ridley took a screen pass 87 yards to the house untouched. The score put the Falcons up 14-0, giving UMass a deficit that was far too wide to claw back from. This play stands out not only for its impact on the game, but also when it happened. It came out earlier this week that the athletic department eschewed a primetime kickoff to instead play this game at 4: 30 p. m. on national television. An opening kickoff during daylight is common in the MAC in the months of September and October, but not in November when midweek MACtion begins. That didn’t matter for the Minutemen, and it’s safe to say at least a few spectators moved around work and holiday obligations just to watch their team lose by 31. Hey, on the bright side, maybe they made it home in time to watch the Dancing With The Stars finale. 10: is one-third of UMass’ negative scoring margin this season. The Minutemen lost games by an average of 27. 5 points, three points below any other team nationally in the stat. Obviously, some of these lopsided scorelines were expected (47-7 loss vs. Iowa, 42-6 vs. Missouri), but teams that were seen as close matches in the preseason similarly blew the Minutemen’s doors off. Kent State was looking to end a 26-game FBS losing streak when it faced off with UMass on Oct. 11. The Minutemen were expected to at minimum compete with the Golden Flashes, but instead lost 42-6, letting Kent State have its best offensive showing in three years. Nine: losses went on the Bryant Bulldogs’ record this season, but their game against UMass was not one of them. In the one game that the Minutemen were favored in, they took a 26-24 lead early in the fourth quarter off a then-school record 53-yard Derek Morris field goal. The laws of FBS vs. FCS games state that when this situation occurs, the FBS team should keep its opponent at bay for the remainder of the contest. Instead, the UMass defense gave up 78 yards within 105 seconds, punctuated by a 25-yard Bryant field goal attempt that went in with zeroes on the clock. Bryant 27, Minutemen 26. Eight: opponents ran the ball for over 200 yards on UMass this season. The team’s run defense was a major weak point that got worse as the year went on, and by the start of November, giving up 200 yards on the ground was second nature for the Minutemen. We knew Ohio’s Sieh Bangura would be a problem to contain, but we didn’t expect him to put up 196 yards on his own. Even backup backs like the Golden Flashes’ Gavin Garcia were gifted plenty of good game film courtesy of UMass. On Tuesday, the Falcons put in one last impressive showing on the ground, racking up 273 yards. “We didn’t play physical enough [against Bowling Green],” Harasymiak said. “We didn’t have a great pad level and we didn’t tackle. I mean, the tackling was really bad.” Seven: penalty yards were accumulated by UMass on Tuesday, giving the team a great day discipline-wise. Overall, the Minutemen averaged just 41 penalty yards per game this season, an impressive number that puts them in the upper-half nationally. The circumstances surrounding certain penalties are where issues arose for UMass. The most notable flag came in the most nail-biting game for the Minutemen, an Oct. 18 home clash against Buffalo. Up one with under a minute to play, Jeremiah McGill intercepted a Bulls pass and his team immediately went into celebration mode. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was then called on Craig, which pushed his team’s offense back to its own 10-yard line. With three timeouts in hand, it only took Buffalo 35 seconds to both get the ball back and drive down for a Victor Snow touchdown. Buffalo 28, UMass 21. Six: sections of McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Tuesday were sparse enough to where I could count the number of fans on two hands. You can include all the reasons you want for poor attendance: midday kickoff, winless team, depressing weather. The myriad of explanations created a cozy crowd that only shrunk as the rain came in and the game went on. The listed attendance for Tuesday came in at 6, 043, but the odds of that being true are similar to this school getting a Southeastern Conference invite in December. By the time the game had concluded, an estimated 750 people were in the bleachers, all of them witnesses to an infamous moment. Five: of UMass’ opponents are already bowl-eligible heading into the final week of college football’s regular season. In those five games, the Minutemen lost by an average of 29 points, right in line with their season average. Amazingly, some of UMass’ worst losses came against some of its worst opposition. I’ve already mentioned Kent State, but how about a 44-10 loss to neighboring school Akron to kick off MACtion? The Zips ran for 237 yards and forced three turnovers, putting the game away by the third quarter. Four: MACtion games were played by UMass this season, tied for most in the conference. Those midweek clashes are known to be anybody’s ballgame, especially in the parity-rich MAC, but a debilitated Minutemen team comfortably lost in all four meetings. The aura around the Northern Illinois game on Nov. 12 was one of cautious optimism. Hey, UMass has obviously struggled, but the Huskies are 2-7 with a banged-up quarterback room. Maybe lightning strikes under the lights and the Minutemen capture that elusive win. Instead, reserve signal caller Jalen Macon looked like the second coming of Michael Vick, and the junior put up four touchdowns in Northern Illinois’ 45-3 demolition at McGuirk. Three: quarterbacks were in a tight preseason battle for the starting job in Amherst, but one never separated above the rest. After five games of experimentation, AJ Hairston was finally given the keys to the offense pre-Kent State, but freshman mistakes and a lackluster supporting cast hurt his production. During his fourth consecutive start against Akron, Hairston got benched and Grant Jordan who hadn’t played since September came in. Next week, Hairston and Brandon Rose were both given shots, and neither put in games to remember. By the end of the season, all three quarterbacks had played in at least 50% of games, and while the redshirt freshman had the longest leash, I still feel UMass’ quarterback situation in 2025 was a perpetual question mark. Two: million dollars in NIL money went to Minutemen football players this season, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The number made UMass one of the top spenders in the MAC, above some of the conference’s premier programs. Much of the team’s preseason hype stemmed from that number and the transfers brought in as a result. What transpired on the field is a case study on how NIL money doesn’t buy you success. Whether it was poor talent evaluation, poor team chemistry or both, all that financial commitment drove this team further down into the basement. Now, even more money has to be spent to get the Minutemen out, as their recruiting targets won’t take a discount to sign on. One: win was unattainable for the Minutemen this season. Before 2025, the program had never played this many games in a year without picking up a victory. Now, that dubious honor has materialized through all the factors I’ve mentioned and more. Farewell 2025 UMass football: as much as others will attempt to forget you, your memories can, and will, last a lifetime.
https://dailycollegian.com/2025/11/wendel-a-dreadful-umass-season-by-the-numbers/

Are you up on your Thanksgiving trivia?

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When was the first Thanksgiving? The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621. Although there are several accounts as to where the first celebration took place, the most well-known version describes the inaugural Thanksgiving as a three-day pilgrim celebration that took place in 1621 at the Plymouth Colony (now Plymouth, Massachusetts). Most traditional historians recognize this as the first American Thanksgiving feast. Over 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November as a day to give thanks. It wasn’t until 1941 that congress made Thanksgiving an official national holiday. Why is there a presidential pardoning for a turkey? Every year since 1947, a ceremony known as “The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation” has been conducted at The White House a few days before Thanksgiving. During the ceremony, the current president is presented with a live turkey. The commander-in-chief does not eat the turkey; instead, he “pardons” the bird and spares it from being slaughtered. After being pardoned, the turkey gets to live out its days on a farm. History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Macy’s has put on a parade every Thanksgiving since 1924. The tradition of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 in New York City. The parade was originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade and was created to help spur the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was put together by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park zoo. These days, giant floating balloons are the parade’s primary feature. In the modern era, it is estimated that about 3 million people attend the parade in person each year and that 44 million more watch it on TV. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year. Thanksgiving day is the busiest travel day of the year. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has estimated that over 42 million Americans travel 50 miles or more by car over the holiday weekend. Another 4 million people fly to visit their loved ones for the holiday. Thanksgiving then and now. Thanksgiving dinner hasn’t changed much over the years. The food eaten at the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 was not too different from our modern standard. The pilgrims’ meal consisted of turkey, venison, waterfowl, lobster, fish, clams, pumpkin, squash, berries, and fruit. Aside from the seafood, most of these foods are still staples of our present-day Thanksgiving dinners. Why do Americans eat a lot of turkey? While there is no official reason why turkey is the quintessential main dish used in Thanksgiving dinners, it was likely the most plentiful type of meat in Plymouth Colony in 1621. We’ve carried on the tradition of eating Turkey for Thanksgiving dinner ever since. According to the National Turkey Federation, over 95% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Around 280 million turkeys are sold during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Why cranberries? Cranberries are more than just a side dish. They are one of only three fruits considered to be native to North America. Indigenous Americans were the first to reap the many benefits of cranberries. In addition to eating them, the red juice from cranberries was used as a dye for clothing, rugs, and blankets. They also included cranberries in medicine to treat arrow wounds and other ailments. Native Americans believed in the medicinal use of cranberries long before scientists discovered their health benefits. Nowadays, cranberries are an essential side dish in our Thanksgiving feasts. The official thanksgiving postage stamp. In 2001, the U. S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. The stamp was designed by artist Margaret Cusack to resemble traditional folk-art needlework. The intention behind the stamp’s creation was to commemorate the tradition of being thankful for the abundance of goods we enjoy in America. What is the wishbone tradition? Turkeys’ wishbones are commonly used in a good-luck tradition on Thanksgiving. Usually, the practice consists of two people tugging on either end of the brittle bone while silently making a wish until it breaks. It is said that whoever wins the larger piece will have their wish granted.
https://signalscv.com/2025/11/are-you-up-on-your-thanksgiving-trivia/

Map Shows States Where COVID Is Rising Before Thanksgiving

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While the threat posed by COVID-19 remains relatively low nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that infections are growing or likely growing in 19 states across the nation. As of November 18, with a little over a week to go before celebrating Thanksgiving on November 27, COVID-19 cases were increasing or are likely to in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia. In four other states, they were declining or likely to decline in California, Hawaii, Maine, and Washington. In 22 states, the number of infections was not changing. These numbers were based on data from incident emergency department (ED) visits across the country. It is important to note that, even in the states where COVID-19 infections were growing, the weekly percentage of ED visits diagnosed with the disease was “very low,” according to the CDC. In Indiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia it was “low.” Why It Matters COVID-19 is no longer the threat to public health it used to be when the epidemic broke out in late 2019-early 2020. According to the CDC, 49. 7 percent of the American population had been fully vaccinated as of August 2021, with 57. 9 percent having received at least one dose. USA Facts reports that, as of this year, 70 percent of the American population are considered fully vaccinated. The disease left a mark on the country-not only because of widespread lockdowns. While most people with COVID-19 had mild symptoms, many became severely ill, others developed so-called long COVID. As of June 1, 2024, nearly 1. 2 million people had died of COVID-19 in the U. S., according to the CDC. While the threat is not as urgent as it used to be, there are still people getting infected with COVID-19 across the country, with infections rising during the summer. An occasion like Thanksgiving, when big groups of people spend a long time in confined spaces, represents a chance for the virus to spread. What To Know As of September 27, the country’s test positivity-the percentage of total reported tests that are positive, was 6. 7 percent, based on CDC data. The higher rate this year was reported in late August, when it peaked to 11. 7 percent. In the same week, only 0. 7 percent of ER visits were diagnosed as COVID-19, and 1. 2 per 100, 000 people were hospitalized with the disease. COVID-19 was behind 0. 8 percent of all deaths in the nation during the week ending September 20, according to the CDC-one of the lowest rates reported in the past three years. At its peak in 2021, weekly deaths per 100, 000 people reached 6. 5.
https://www.newsweek.com/map-states-covid-rising-thanksgiving-11094753

Jeff Bezos Warns of a Market Crash in the Coming Months, Advises People Against Big-Ticket Purchases

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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has issued a stark warning about the fragile state of the global economy. In an interview with CNN, Bezos advised consumers and small businesses to hold off on significant purchases and capital expenditures as fears of a recession intensify. He also emphasized the importance of cautious financial planning during these uncertain times. Optimism for the Future While emphasising caution in the near term, Bezos maintained an optimistic outlook for the long-term prospects of the economy. He expressed confidence that the American Dream remains achievable and hinted that space travel could become more accessible to the public within his lifetime. Bezos’ recent comments align with his social media post on X last month, where he urged industries to ‘batten down the hatches’ amid turbulent times ahead for both consumers and businesses. Many experts agree that adapting to these changes will be crucial for economic stability. US Economy on the Brink of Recession Moody’s chief economist, Mark Zandi, echoed Bezos’ concerns, warning that the US could be on the cusp of a recession. In a social media post, Zandi highlighted that nearly a third of US states-accounting for a significant portion of the country’s GDP-are either already in or at high risk of recession. ‘States making up nearly a third of US GDP are either in or at high risk of recession,’ Zandi stated. ‘Another third are just holding steady, and the remaining third are growing.’ The data presents a mixed picture, with some traditionally strong Southern states experiencing a slowdown. States such as Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kansas, and Massachusetts have been identified as exhibiting high recession risks. Meanwhile, economic challenges in the Washington, DC area-partly due to recent government job cuts-are also a concern. Additionally, inflationary pressures are expected to persist into the coming years, further complicating economic recovery efforts. Inflation and Economic Outlook Zandi predicts that inflation could rise to 4% by 2026, exacerbating the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This projection raises alarms about household budgets and purchasing power amid economic uncertainty. Reassessing Immigration Policies The US government’s restrictive immigration policies could also negatively impact the tech sector, according to Zandi. He urged lawmakers to safeguard access to global talent, especially in AI, software engineering, and data science. ‘If it feels like we’re coming to the end of the tariff increases, or like we’re going to get a more rational immigration policy, I think that would be a signal that the coast may be clear,’ he told Business Insider. He primarily blamed economic struggles on rising US tariffs and immigration policies. ‘Tariffs are cutting increasingly deeply into the profits of American companies and the purchasing power of American households. Fewer immigrant workers means a smaller economy,’ Zandi concluded. While there are cautious signs and serious concerns about the near-term economic outlook, many experts remain hopeful that thoughtful policy adjustments and innovation can help steer the economy toward a more stable future. Disclaimer: Our digital media content is for informational purposes only and not investment advice. Please conduct your own analysis or seek professional advice before investing. Remember, investments are subject to market risks and past performance doesn’t indicate future returns.
https://www.ibtimes.com/jeff-bezos-warns-market-crash-coming-months-advises-people-against-big-ticket-purchases-3790947

Newbury fire crews extinguish blaze at Bob Lobster restaurant

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**Fire Crews Quickly Contain Blaze at Bob Lobster in Newbury**

NEWBURY, MASS. (WHDH) – Firefighters swiftly contained a blaze that broke out Saturday afternoon at Bob Lobster on 49 Plum Island Turnpike, officials said.

Crews responded to the popular restaurant around 4 p.m. after reports of a fire. According to the Newbury Fire Department, three employees had already evacuated upon noticing smoke rising from the building’s roof.

Firefighters quickly knocked down a small fire in the roof but spent an extensive amount of time searching for and extinguishing hidden hot spots in the roof area and inside the walls of the one-story building.

Newbury firefighters were assisted at the scene by crews from Newburyport, Rowley, and Georgetown. Additional support was provided by teams from West Newbury, Salisbury, Groveland, and Amesbury, who covered Newbury’s fire stations during the incident.

No injuries were reported.

The Newbury Building Inspector, Health Inspector, and Electrical Inspector were also on site to provide support. To facilitate fire apparatus access, Newbury Police briefly closed the Plum Island Turnpike.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Newbury Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, which is part of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“Companies did a great job opening things up and chasing this fire to ensure that all hot spots were out. There was great teamwork between Newbury firefighters and the mutual aid companies on scene,” said Chief Evans. “Newbury Police also did a great job of keeping us safe here in front of the building.”
https://whdh.com/news/newbury-fire-crews-extinguish-blaze-at-bob-lobster-restaurant/

Watch: Alligator spotted swimming in Boston’s Charles River

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Nov. 12 (UPI) — Wildlife authorities in Massachusetts are searching for a small alligator caught on camera in the Charles River by a couple walking in Boston.

Trevor Rochelle captured the video over the weekend when he and his girlfriend spotted the alligator during a walk alongside the river. Rochelle noted that the reptile was initially not moving but retreated into the water when he poked it with a stick.

Several other alligator sightings have been reported in the same area in recent days. In response, the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife, Boston Animal Control, and Massachusetts Environmental Police are working together to locate and capture the alligator.

The origins of the reptile remain unknown, but alligators are illegal to keep as pets in the state. MassWildlife officials also indicated that the alligator would be unlikely to survive for very long given the upcoming cold weather.
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/11/12/alligator-Charles-River-Boston/9281762963470/

MBTA Transit Police officer facing drunk driving charge after allegedly crashing into pole

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A Boston MBTA Transit Police officer is facing a drunk driving charge and has been placed on “modified duty” after allegedly driving onto a sidewalk and crashing his car into a pole. The incident occurred on October 19, according to the Boston Herald.

Jonathan Daveiga, 27, of Wayland, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol following a single-car crash at the Leverett Circle intersection. Massachusetts State Police responded to the scene in the early hours of the morning, as reported by State Trooper Luis Blanco.

Court records indicate that Daveiga was also charged with failing to stop or yield. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on October 20 in the Charlestown division of Boston Municipal Court and was subsequently released on personal recognizance.

State Police detailed the scene to the Herald, stating they found Daveiga’s gray Jeep Grand Cherokee on the curb with the front panel pressed up against a “no left turn” sign. Although Daveiga claimed he had only consumed two drinks approximately two hours before the crash, officers suspected intoxication.

“Due to the odor of an alcoholic beverage, his slurred speech, vomit inside and outside the vehicle, and his statements of having consumed alcoholic beverages prior in the night, I determined that it was necessary to perform assessments to determine if he was able to operate a motor vehicle,” said State Trooper John Cherwek.

After conducting several tests, Cherwek determined that Daveiga was impaired. Additionally, Daveiga allegedly refused to take a portable breathalyzer test. Under Massachusetts state law, refusal to take a breathalyzer test when arrested for operating under the influence results in an automatic driver’s license suspension.

In response to the incident, Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan told the Herald, “We have faith in the judicial process and in the interim have placed the officer on modified duty while said process progresses through the system.” He also confirmed that the Transit Police Department promptly notified the Massachusetts POST Commission upon learning of the incident.

Jonathan Daveiga is scheduled to return to court on December 19.
https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2025/11/09/mbta-transit-police-officer-facing-drunk-driving-charge-after-allegedly-crashing-into-pole/

Maine has a mixed recent history on citizens’ initiatives. Here’s a closer look.

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When Maine voters cast ballots Tuesday on referendum Questions 1 and 2, it will mark the 30th and 31st time in the last two decades that they have participated in citizen-led ballot initiatives.

Since 2004, Maine has passed 14 citizen-initiated measures establishing laws for medical marijuana, later legalizing recreational cannabis, expanding Medicaid, and allowing same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, 15 initiatives have failed, including several efforts to reduce taxes, attempts to establish casinos in different parts of the state, and a proposed tax on wealthy households intended to fund universal home health care for seniors and disabled residents.

Roughly half of all U.S. states have some form of citizen initiative, though Massachusetts is the only other state in New England to do so. Some states, such as California, have considered citizen initiatives at a much higher frequency. Maine’s citizen initiative process has been in existence for over 100 years, reflecting a long tradition of direct voter engagement. Recently, Maine has seen multiple statewide initiatives on the ballot, notably four in 2023 and five in 2016. However, there were none in 2019, 2020, or 2022.

“The idea is to give regular citizens more of a voice in the policy process,” said Dan Shea, a professor of government at Colby College. He explained that Maine’s process originated at a time when corrupt party machines often controlled legislative efforts around the turn of the 20th century. “The process was designed to allow citizens to step beyond leaders of the parties in the Legislature and get stuff done,” Shea added.

Despite these advantages, there are some downsides to passing legislation via referendum. Citizen initiatives can attract out-of-state influence and funding, especially from activists who see Maine’s relatively low media costs as an invitation to test policies. Additionally, these proposals are often complex, making it challenging for voters to fully understand all the details and potential impacts.

“Maine is a pretty cheap state for advertising,” noted Michael Franz, a professor of government and legal studies at Bowdoin College. “Because Mainers see it as part of their political culture to vote on these measures, it becomes a perfect place for advocates of different ideas to put them on the ballot and test them in the state.”

Franz added, “Given the political polarization today and the frustration many people have with elected officials, it’s an opportunity for people who have an idea and want to get things in front of people to just bypass elected officials entirely.”

While many Maine voters remain wary of out-of-state influence and acknowledge the complexity of some measures, Franz emphasized that the electorate as a whole has proven to be “pretty savvy” when deciding on citizen initiatives. However, since these measures bypass the usual legislative process, many end up facing legal challenges.

To qualify for the ballot in Maine, supporters must gather signatures equaling 10% of the turnout for the most recent gubernatorial election. This year, that threshold was set at 67,682 signatures. Political scientists say this requirement is high enough to prevent the process from being overused or abused.

Citizen-led initiatives have often been used to push for laws that the Legislature is unwilling to address or support. Some view them as an opportunity for lawmakers to “pass the buck” and avoid making decisions on controversial issues themselves, Shea said. At the same time, these initiatives have put Maine on the leading edge of some national issues.

Here’s a look at 10 high-profile citizen-led initiatives that have passed or failed in recent years.

*Staff writer Rachel Ohm contributed to this report.*
https://www.sunjournal.com/2025/11/01/maine-has-a-mixed-recent-history-on-citizens-initiatives-heres-a-closer-look/

FanDuel promo code: Wager $5, get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins for Buccaneers vs. Saints

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The division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers aim to steady themselves after a stumble on a short week. Their impressive 5-2 start looks strong on paper, but injuries and shaky metrics suggest the foundation may be thinner than it appears.

Losing wide receiver Mike Evans to a broken collarbone is a major blow. Meanwhile, quarterback Baker Mayfield now faces the challenge of navigating a second straight road game behind an overworked offensive line. Despite these concerns, the Bucs are favored as 4.5-point road favorites at FanDuel.

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Baker Mayfield boasts a 4-1 record against the Saints in his career and has twice blown them out at the Superdome. On the flip side, Spencer Rattler’s turnovers have hampered the Saints’ offense, which remains among the league’s least explosive units.

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