NEW ORLEANS: When Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara and the Saints’ offense broke the huddle to start out a drive with 9 minutes left in regulation, New Orleans seemed poised to shut out a victory in its first recreation in entrance of a full Superdome in additional than a 12 months.
The Saints led by two scores and wanted just a few extra first downs to place away the beforehand winless New York Giants. But for the primary time in eight possessions, they did not cross midfield, punting after simply three performs.
Eleven factors within the fourth quarter isnt a giant lead, and definitely with 9 minutes left within the recreation its not, Saints coach Sean Payton stated after his membership’s 27-21 time beyond regulation loss.
Saquon Barkley scored for the Giants on the primary play following the punt, getting open down the sideline and chopping again for a 54-yard landing catch with 6:52 left. Quarterback Daniel Jones ran in a 2-point conversion to make it 21-18.
The Saints punted once more after selecting up simply two first downs, leaving Jones sufficient time to guide a 59-yard drive for a tying area purpose.
The Giants received the time beyond regulation coin toss and marched 75 yards in 9 performs for Barkley’s successful 6-yard landing run, sending what had been a full-throated crowd house in relative silence.
The Saints moved their first house recreation to Jacksonville due to injury attributable to Hurricane Ida, then performed at Carolina and New England. They performed all of final season in entrance a principally empty Superdome in compliance with coronavirus protocols.
On Sunday, they fell flat late in entrance of almost 70,000 followers.
You dont wish to lose these video games, quarterback Jameis Winston stated. Thats what we do end. Its in our DNA. It looks like a blur.
The Saints hadn’t seemed like a crew getting ready to collapse for a lot of the day.
Alvin Kamara picked up 126 yards on a career-high 26 carries. Winston went 17 of 23 for 226 yards, finishing 13 passes in a row from early within the second quarter to late within the fourth. The protection was on the sector for under 9:32 within the first half.
But they let Jones throw for 203 of his 402 yards within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation, together with the lengthy landing to Barkley in addition to three extra 20-plus-yard completions because the Saints started lacking tackles.
This ones on the protection, Jenkins stated. Weve received to play higher to ensure that our crew to have success.
Barkley rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries but in addition had 5 catches for 74 yards.
Hes robust to get down, Jenkins stated. Hes their greatest participant. We must cease him and didnt get that completed.
The Saints additionally regretted choices that prevented them from widening their lead.
One play after a 46-yard landing cross from Winston to Kenny Stills was worn out by a holding name on tight finish Adam Trautman, Taysom Hill changed Winston at quarterback and threw an interception.
Hill’s cross was meant for 5-foot-6 Deonte Harris, but it surely hung within the air, leaving the diminutive receiver overmatched for what was basically a bounce ball towards 6-1 defensive again James Bradberry.
Payton additionally despatched out struggling kicker Aldrick Rosas, who’s filling in for the injured Wil Lutz, to attempt a 58-yard area purpose within the second quarter. It went extensive proper, and Jones hit John Ross for a 52-yard landing on the subsequent play.
Rosas’ miss got here every week after he was off the mark from 52 and 36 yards in a victory at New England.
Looking at it once more, I remorse kicking as a substitute of punting, Payton stated. But in some unspecified time in the future, had been going to should kick one between the uprights.
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