But immediately afterwards, Brees led the Saints on a 14-play, 80-yard play that ended when he threw to C.J. Spiller for a nine-yard touchdown with 41 seconds left in the game.
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I watched as the ball popped up and hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity – before Snead grabbed the ball and began to run with it, then was tackled by Giants punter Brad Wing. Kai Forbath made the 50-yard field goal as time expired, and all that work by the offense was for naught. Later, with the Saints up 42-28, the defense once again surrendered that lead with disturbing ease. Kickoff return specialists, Shane Vereen and Dwayne Harris, averaged 34 yards per kickoff return.
The Saints responded by driving across the 50, but Snead fumbled after a reception on a vicious hit by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who had intercepted Brees deep in Giants’ territory earlier in the game. The ball popped up to cornerback Trumaine McBride, who returned the fumble 63 yards for a touchdown. The first two came on touchdown passes by New Orleans own Eli Manning.
The effort earned Forbath his first game ball as a Saint, despite Brees’ record-setting performance. The Bears threw for 488 yards in that game, which was the previous record for most team passing yardage against a Giants team until Brees obliterated it with 511.
Pittsburgh (4-4) hoped that Roethlisberger’s return after missing four games with a sprained knee would kick-start the offense. Atlanta, Minnesota and St. Louis are ahead of the Saints in the wild-card standings, and the idle Redskins and Eagles are just a half-game back of the Saints at 3-4. He’s having the best season of his career, and on Sunday converted two fourth downs for touchdowns.
Joy was mixed with relief as the Saints pulled a win for the ages and evened out the drudgery that began their 2015 season. He gets a “Kwillie”, though for not reeling in what looked like a catchable ball that would have given the Giants a first down with 20 seconds left.
The kick was Forbath’s first field-goal attempt as a Saint; he lined up for a field goal seven days prior in Indianapolis, only to have the Saints fake the kick and quarterback Luke McCown complete a 25-yard pass to Watson off the fake. 500 while sending host Dallas to its fifth straight loss. Bryant caught only two passes for 12 yards.
The Kansas City quarterback carried the ball five times and gained 78 yards, including a career-high 49-yard scramble in the second quarter that set up his 12-yard touchdown run.
Robert Ayers – A quarterback hit, four hurries and a +$.6 Pro Football Focus grade.
Brees and the Saints (4-4) will face the Tennessee Titans next, on November 8, while Manning and the Giants (4-4) will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Matt Ryan tied it for the Falcons (6-2) on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones with 17 seconds left in regulation.
In Baltimore, Justin Tucker kicked a 39-yard field goal on the final play as the Ravens won 29-26. Congratulations must go to the Giants for stifling a inexperienced Tyrod Taylor and the Cowboys third quarterback of the season. There were 101 points scored, and over a thousand combined offensive yards.
“I keep bringing up that “S” word”, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said.
It is hard to pin this one entirely on the coaching staff as the G-men matched the Saints score for score. They gave up a tying touchdown with under 2 minutes to go in the game.
Smith scrambled his way through the Detroit defense for a few big plays, including a career-high 49-yard run in the second quarter that set up his 12-yard touchdown run.
The Saints never trailed until 7:11 remained.
Hoyer threw for 235 yards and two scores. Nate Washington’s 42-yard TD catch extended the lead.
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Running back Latavius Murray gained 113 yards on 20 carries for the Raiders (4-3) against a Jets defense that entered the game ranked first against the run in the NFL.
