NO CELEBRATION AFTER WIN: Saints' DE with Peak Performance in Buccaneers Victory Skips Team Celebration, Rushes Straight to Tunnel Due to Family Emergency

The New Orleans Saints just secured a dramatic 24-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season, held on December 7, 2025, at their home stadium, the Caesars Superdome. Amid heavy rain that made the game challenging, the Saints' defense shone brightly, especially at the defensive end (DE) position – hailed as the "silent hero" with an impressive performance. This player made a strong impact with 5 tackles (4 solo, 1 assisted), 2 tackles for loss (TFL), and 1 pass defended, despite no official sacks or QB hits. These stats not only helped the Saints control the Bucs' run game (holding the opponent to just 98 total rushing yards) but also demonstrated high focus on stopping run plays, particularly in the wet weather that limited the passing game.

But that's not all – this DE played 45 defensive snaps, accounting for about 70-75% of the Saints' total defensive snaps, ranking second in the defensive line only behind Kool-Aid McKinstry in the secondary. Although detailed pressure data from PFF isn't publicly available for free for this game, recaps describe him as "applying good pressure on the opposing QB," aligning with his 2025 season style where he leads the Saints in pressure upside with 83.3 fantasy points before Week 14. On average per game in the early weeks, he generates about 8 pressures, and his PFF grade is typically above 74.0 in run defense – proving he's one of the team's defensive pillars.

However, behind this "peak" performance lies a surprising and touching story. Right after the final whistle, as his Saints teammates were cheering and celebrating the crucial win that improved their record from 2-10, this DE player – none other than Carl Granderson – didn't join in. Instead, he dashed straight into the stadium tunnel, ignoring all congratulations from fans and teammates. The reason? An emergency call from his family: Granderson's 5-year-old son suddenly had a minor accident while playing at home, falling and needing immediate medical attention due to a suspected broken arm. According to close sources, the boy was taken to a local hospital in New Orleans just minutes before the game ended, and Granderson – a devoted father – received the news via phone from his wife right in the middle of the fourth quarter. "I couldn't think of anything else but rushing back to my son," Granderson shared briefly with reporters afterward, his voice full of worry.

This incident caught the entire Saints team and fans off guard, but head coach Kellen Moore spoke up in support with a choked-up voice: "Family comes first – family is always the top priority, and in moments like this, our hearts break thinking about that little boy. We're incredibly proud of Carl's performance today, but nothing in this world matters more than the health and smile of our children. The whole team is praying, sending the warmest wishes to the boy and the family, hoping everything turns out okay, and Carl knows we're always by his side."

Moore further emphasized that, even though Granderson missed the celebration, his spirit inspired the entire team, helping them hold the defense steady and mount a comeback in the later quarters.

Granderson's notable plays in the game were also worth highlighting, such as the fourth-down TFL where he exploded into the backfield to tackle the Bucs' Bucky Irving, stopping a key drive; or the second TFL that cost Irving 5 yards; and the tackle on a pass play that limited yards after catch for Chris Godwin Jr. after a catch from Baker Mayfield. These plays not only helped keep the Bucs to 20 points but also showcased the solidity of the Saints' defense, with Granderson "stuffing the middle like a turkey" as he himself said in the post-game interview.

This victory could be a turning point for the Saints, but Granderson's story reminds us that behind the glamour of the field are real people with everyday lives. Fans are flooding social media with well-wishes, hoping his son recovers quickly. What do you think about Granderson's actions? Share below!