TAMPA, Fla. — New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 28-6 on Sept. 19, using a strong rushing performance and a pressure-heavy defense to remain unbeaten through three regular-season games.

The Saints moved to 3-0 and 1-0 in division play. Tampa Bay fell to 2-1. New Orleans outgained Tampa Bay on the ground, 151 yards to 35, and held the home team to 1-for-14 on third downs.

Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead on Oswaldo Drew’s 29-yard field goal after an interception of New Orleans quarterback Zachary Himes. The Saints answered with Thomas Hernandez’s 29-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.

New Orleans went ahead in the second quarter when running back Joseph Hall scored on a 1-yard run. Hernandez’s extra point made it 10-3. Hernandez added a 45-yard field goal before halftime, extending the lead to 13-3.

Hall finished with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with 24 receiving yards. New Orleans ran 45 times for 151 yards. Himes completed 20 of 31 passes for 148 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

The Saints widened the margin early in the third quarter after cornerback Miguel Fleming intercepted Manuel Gates. Himes then connected with Mark Vaughn for a 17-yard touchdown, and Hernandez’s extra point made it 20-3. Vaughn had 39 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Hernandez kicked a 28-yard field goal later in the quarter, then added a 31-yarder in the fourth. His four field goals accounted for 12 of New Orleans’ points. Tampa Bay’s only second-half score was Drew’s 32-yard field goal, which cut the deficit to 23-6.

Fleming intercepted Gates again in the fourth quarter. New Orleans turned the possession into Hernandez’s final field goal, pushing the lead to 26-6. With 36 seconds remaining, defensive end Eddie Daugherty sacked Gates in the end zone for a safety and the final 28-6 margin.

New Orleans recorded seven sacks and two interceptions. Defensive end Spencer Sturgeon had three sacks, while Daugherty and defensive tackle John Braud had two apiece. Tampa Bay finished with 88 passing yards and 10 completions on 30 attempts.