Photo by James Meche; Logos via sportslogos.net
The New Orleans Saints looked to end their two-game losing streak on Sunday when the undefeated Minnesota Vikings came into town. Hall of Famer Drew Brees was inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime, yet a 23-13 loss for the Black and Gold spoiled the moment. The loss dropped the team’s record to 1-4 and 0-3 in their three-game dome stretch.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Minnesota struck first on the opening drive, going 51 yards in nine plays as quarterback Kyler Murray went 5/5 for 61 yards. The final pass was six yards short of the first-down line, and kicker Will Reichard made a 40-yard field goal to put the Saints in an early hole.
The Vikings threatened to score again late in the first quarter, but Khristian Boyd stripped running back Aaron Jones Sr. in the red zone, with Chase Young recovering the fumble and returning the ball to the New Orleans 34-yard line. The Black and Gold took that takeaway 66 yards in 15 plays, keeping the ball on the ground nine times as Kendre Miller capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown. New Orleans milked 7:18 off the clock.
The next four drives ended in three-and-outs and punts before the Vikings closed out the first half with a 54-yard Reichard kick. Former LSU Tiger Justin Jefferson caught multiple passes, including a 21-yarder. Carl Granderson also recorded his second sack of the game before intermission
New Orleans went into the locker room with the 7-6 lead.
Jayden Price received the second-half kickoff for the Saints and coughed the ball loose to the Vikings. Jake Golday punched the ball out and recovered the fumble at the New Orleans 37-yard line. It took six plays for Minnesota to score its first touchdown in its last 24 drives as Murray found Jefferson in the back left corner for the 15-yard score. Murray completed the pass with three Saints defenders in the area.
On 2nd & 26, Shough rolled out right and underthrew a pass to Bryce Lance that Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted and returned to the New Orleans 37 again. Minnesota got into the red zone once again, but on 3rd & 15, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. forced Myles Price to fumble. Jonas Sanker recovered the fumble and went 87 yards for the scoop-and-score, the second-longest in team history. Kicker Daniel Carlson missed the PAT, keeping the game tied at 13 with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter.
The Vikings bounced back, going 70 yards in six plays as Jones Jr. trucked Saints safety Julian Blackmon to score from eight yards out. Reichard knocked through a 55-yard field goal on the next possession, putting New Orleans in a 10-point hole.
Murphy Jr. intercepted Shough’s pass for a second time late in the fourth quarter, sealing the 23-13 loss for the Black and Gold.
BIG NUMBER: 5
Since Drew Brees retired ahead of the 2021 season, he’s returned to the dome six times. In those six games, the Saints have a 1-5 record with the Hall of Famer in the Dome.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kyler Murray
The Vikings’ starting QB was efficient on the day, not putting the ball in harm’s way. Murray finished the game 24/30 for 229 yards and one passing touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 54 yards as the Saints lost 23-13 to drop their record to 1-4.
Comments