Tampa, FL (My Sportsbook) - Matt Bryant had three field goals, including the go-ahead kick with 1:55 remaining, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held on to edge the New Orleans Saints, 23-20, in a key NFC South race.

Jeff Garcia completed just 9-of-23 passes for 119 yards and a score on a rainy afternoon but had no interceptions and ran for 42 yards for the Bucs (9-3), who have won four in a row. Tampa Bay kept pace with Carolina for first place in the division, as the Panthers beat Green Bay, 35-31, on a late touchdown.

The Bucs and Panthers now hold a three-game lead over New Orleans, with Atlanta in between at 7-4. The Falcons play at San Diego later Sunday.

Warrick Dunn ran for 74 yards, while Carnell Williams had a rushing touchdown for Tampa Bay. Antonio Bryant caught three passes for 63 yards and a score.

Drew Brees threw for 296 yards and two scores on 25-of-47 passing for the Saints (6-6) but was intercepted three times. Marques Colston caught six passes for 106 yards in the loss.

The Saints, who were coming off a 51-29 win over Green Bay last week, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to draw even at 20-20.

But with 2:24 left in the game, Brees' pass was picked off by Jermaine Phillips at the Saints' 30-yard line. The Bucs ran three plays before reaching the two-minute warning, and Bryant's kick curved left through the uprights to give Tampa Bay a three-point lead with 1:55 on the clock.

New Orleans still had plenty of time to score, but on the second play of the Saints' ensuing drive, a scrambling Brees was picked off by Phillip Buchanon, and the Bucs ran down the clock to seal the win.