New Orleans over-topped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-20 after a week of evacuations,  fear  and now recovery due to Hurricane Gustav.  Although the storm caused massive electricity failures, the Superdome was electric with the almost-packed stadium crowd cheering on the New Orleans Saints.

The Bucs took the halftime lead in a defensive battle 10 to 7.

In the third quarter, Davery Henderson scored on a 84 yard pass play sending the Saints ahead only to see the Bucs come back on a long drive topped with a Jeff Garcia to Ike Hillard pass and an extra point putting Tampa Bay ahead 24 to 20.

Reggie Bush then fielded a short pass and ran for pay dirt for a 23 to 20 lead.  The extra point put the Saints ahead by four which was a major play forcing the Bucs to score a touchdown to take the lead.

The Bucs on its last possession did move down the field after starting on its own 49 yard line with 2:24 left in the game after the Saints failed to sustain a game-ending drive.

On fourth down and six yards to go, Scott Fujita intercepted a Garcia pass deep in Saints territory, icing the game.

The victory for the New Orleans Saints put their record at 1-0.  Last year, they started the season with a four game losing streak.

Drew Brees threw for 343 yards and 3 touchdowns.