TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles stayed up most of the night last Wednesday into Thursday morning watching Hurricane Milton consume the Tampa Bay area with damaging high winds, torrential rain, and flood waters claiming spots that had barely begun recovery from Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago.

Bowles described the Bucs reaction to Hurricane Milton, as the team set up a temporary operation in New Orleans ahead of Sunday’s game against the Saints, in his ‘Bucs with Bowles’ interview with News Channel 8’s Dan Lucas.

The Bucs’ story for this natural disaster is far less important than those left suffering in Milton’s wake, but a professional sports team plays a role in the morale of a community.

On Sunday, Bowles’ Bucs blew out the Saints 51-27, the second-highest point total for a game in Bucs history.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, middle, is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (17) after scoring against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) catches a touchdown pass against New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, middle left, runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) runs toward the end zone to score past New Orleans Saints safety J.T. Gray (48) during the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin runs toward the end zone to score against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Bowles was proud of how his team not only got off to a hot start in the game but rebounded from an error-filled 2nd quarter that saw a 17-0 lead become a 27-24 deficit.

The day however was a culmination of the entire week. The team relocated players, staff, and their families on short notice, setting up meeting space and practice at nearby Tulane University. The potential for distraction was great.

In fact, Bowles dug into his memory of two years ago when the Bucs escaped to Miami, practicing as Hurricane Ian took aim at southwest and central Florida.

That experiment resulted in a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

This time, Bowles handled the week differently.

The game revealed a team rested and focused, even as players worried about what was waiting for them when they flew back to Tampa that evening.

The Bucs racked up a franchise record 594 yards on offense and saw career performances by players like running back Sean Tucker, who stepped into the lineup due to the absence of Rachaad White.

Tucker finished the game with 192 total yards from scrimmage.

At 4-2, the Bucs kept pace with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South and now prepare for a national television matchup next Monday against the Baltimore Ravens.