The New Orleans Saints defeated New York Giants 14-11 on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. The win improves New Orleans to 5-8 and keeps their slim playoff hopes alive.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with both offenses struggling mightily. Despite good field position for each team in a couple of instances, punts, turnovers, and a missed field goal is all that resulted from the opportunities.
However, on the Saints’ final drive of the first quarter, they figured some things out. Despite being backed up to the shadow of their own goal line, they executed a nine play, 98 yard drive resulting in a touchdown. Kendre Miller scored it, making his first appearance since returning from injured reserve. The drive made it 7-0, and was the longest drive for the Saints in more than eight years.
The Giants once again got set up in good field position, and finally used it to get points. Seven plays and 26 yards later, they converted a field goal to make it 7-3.
Just like the end of the first quarter, the Saints found the drive they needed at the end of the third. Mine plays and 69 yards ended with a touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Juwan Johnson, extending the New Orleans lead to 14-3.
Down the stretch, the Giants finally put together a long scoring drive. 13 plays and 82 yards were finished off by a short Tyrone Tracy Jr touchdown run. Then, a tipped ball was hauled in by Malik Nabers for the two-point conversion, making it 14-11.
Carr got hurt in the fourth quarter, having to leave the game. Drew Lock led the Giants into field goal range, but Graham Gano’s game tying attempt was blocked by Bryan Bresee, preserving the Saints’ 14-11 win.
BIG NUMBER: 112
The Giants had 112 penalty yards in this game. That is ultimately what prevented them from being able to score enough to beat the Saints.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Bryan Bresee
On a day where so much went wrong for both teams, Bresee surely was not a part of it. He had a sack, two QB hits, and blocked the potential game-tying field goal on the last drive of the game.
UP NEXT: The Saints return home to host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 15th inside the Caesars Superdome at noon.
