NEW ORLEANS — Teddy Bridgewater silenced the doubters - at least for a week - with a scintillating performance, hitting on 25 of 33 passes for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns in a win over Tampa Bay Sunday.
Michael Thomas caught a large portion of those with 10 grabs for 182 yards and two touchdowns, along with first-down reception after first-down reception.
The win moved the Saints to 4-1 on the season. They are one game ahead of Carolina (3-2) in the NFC South. Tampa, now 2-3, is two back.
For Bridgewater, who has taken some mild criticism for not throwing the ball further down the field, hearing the fans chant his name, in positive way, could only help.
"It was cool," he said. "I try to be the best version of Teddy I can be. Having people like Drew, in my corner, backing me up, is very beneficial to me."
Thomas, meanwhile, showed the stripes that helped give him the rich contract in the offseason.
"I have to be that guy I say I am," said Thomas afterward. "I have to make people miss. I have to catch the ball. I have to score points. That what they have me here for."
The defense also stepped up with six sacks, silencing a Tampa offense that scored more than 50 points a week ago against the Rams.
The win makes the Saints 4-1 overall and gives them a lead in the NFC South.