NEW ORLEANS – The Bucs once again had the worst game in the league last season.

They handed the ball off, only to give Baker Mayfield's arm a break.

But damned if the answer to their problem isn't sitting on the bench since last season, not being allowed to stretch their legs or stand up to opposing defenses.

In Sunday's 51-27 win over the Saints, Sean Tucker finally got the ball, and the Bucs' greatest offensive discovery proved to be right under their noses.

Tucker, a second-year running back from Syracuse who had only 17 rushing attempts in the 16 games he had played before Sunday, led the Bucs with 136 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

His 36-yard touchdown reception gave the Bucs a 24-20 lead in the second quarter.

“This is the Sean Tucker we thought we were getting when we got him last year, and he's coming into his own,” coach Todd Bowles said.

With Rachaad White out in the early stages with a foot injury, Tucker and rookie Bucky Irving provided the longed-for one-two punch in the Bucs' backfield.

Irving finished the game with 81 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, including a 31-yard run. But it was Tucker who controlled the game in the second half, slashing and tearing through the Saints' tired defense.

“So that the boys can step in and play like that? It’s more than just the next man up mentality,” Mayfield said of Tucker. “That’s a huge leap he just made (Sunday) and I’m really happy for him.”

Tucker and Irving combined to rush just seven times in the first half. This was thanks to a combination of penalties and three interceptions by Mayfield. The Bucs entered Sunday's game as the NFL's least weak team, but finished with a season-high 12 penalties for 86 yards.

But in the second half, they put the game in the hands of Tucker, who left Syracuse having rushed for 3,182 career yards, right behind the likes of Joe Morris and Walter Reyes and ahead of players named Larry Csonka, Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis. In fact, he broke the Orange's single-season rushing record with 1,496 yards in 2021.

But coming out of Syracuse, he was reported for a heart condition a day before his position group was scheduled to start at the NFL Scouting Combine in March 2023.

This forced Tucker to go undrafted. But the Bucs still believed in his talent and signed him as an undrafted free agent.

“It’s just a testament to the hard work I put into the game,” Tucker said of his performance on Sunday. “And the work I did as a child. Because I’m here and I have the opportunity to show what I can do.”

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Before Sunday, Tucker had been used primarily as a kickoff returner. He had two for 86 yards in a loss to the Falcons.

“It speaks to the character of the man,” receiver Chris Godwin said. “You know, Sean hasn't complained since he's been here. He waited and worked hard to be ready for this opportunity and went in and thrived. He was ready for it. …

“And it’s hard to take him down. I think he's faster than people think and he runs really strong. I’m proud of him, man.”

Worth mentioning is the offensive line, which was missing rookie center Graham Barton. The experienced Robert Hainsey stepped in for him and the Bucs put in a historic performance. They rushed for 277 yards on 35 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per carry.

Tucker said he went into Sunday's game not knowing how many times he would touch the football.

“No matter what I got, I wanted to use it,” he said. “I wasn't too worried about how many touches I would get. I just wanted to play great out there.”

He ended up combining for 192 total yards against the Saints.

Does Tucker think he should start?

“I mean, I always think I should start,” he said, smiling.

Maybe the Bucs should start thinking like that too.

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