Saints Win In Shootout Over Giants, 52-49
The New Orleans Saints picked up their third-consecutive win on Sunday afternoon, defeating the New York Giants, 52-49, in an offensive showcase, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Kai Forbath nailed a 50-yard field goal, which tied his career-long, as time expired, to lift the Saints to the exciting 3-point victory.
The game set an NFL record for most total touchdown passes (13), while the 101 combined points by the two teams is the third-most in NFL history.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees set personal and team records for completions (40), passing yards (511), and touchdown passes (7), while New York quarterback Eli Manning set a personal record for most touchdown passes (6), three to New Orleans native, and former LSU standout, Odell Beckham, Jr..
Trailing, 49-42, Brees threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Spiller with 36 seconds left, to even the game, 49-49.
The Saints' defense then forced a Giants punt with :20 seconds remaining. Marcus Murphy returned it across the 50 and fumbled, but Willie Snead recovered. The Giants were flagged for a face mask penalty, pushing the football to the New York 32-yard line, setting up the game-winning kick.
It was a crazy game, from start to finish, as the Saints pulled out the victory only after relinquishing a 42-28 lead.
The Giants began the comeback when Manning threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Harris on a fourth-and-5 with 12:15 left, to trim the deficit to 42-35.
On their next possession the Giants tied it, 42-42, when Manning hit Dwayne Harris from 20 yards away with 9:30 to go.
The Saints looked liked they were going to respond, driving across the 50, but Snead fumbled after a reception on a big hit by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The ball bounced right to Trumaine McBride, who sprinted 63 yards, untouched, for a go-ahead touchdown.
On the following possession, New Orleans got the game-tying touchdown pass from Brees to Spiller, before the wild turn of events at the end.
Brees finished the game completing 40-of-50 passes for 511 yards, along with seven touchdowns and one interception.
One of Brees' TD passes went to tight end Benjamin Watson, who finished with 9 catches for 147 yards and a score.
Brandin Cooks and Snead caught two touchdown passes apiece, while Marques Colston and Spiller each had one.
Colston had his best game of the year, catching 8 passes for 114 yards and a score.
In the rushing department, Mark Ingram finished with 80 yards on 16 carries.
In a losing cause for the Giants, Manning completed 30-of-41 passes for 350 yards, including his six touchdown passes, while Beckham had 8 receptions for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns.
With the victory, New Orleans improved to 4-4 on the season, while New York also fell to 4-4.
The Saints return to action next Sunday, when they play host to the Tennessee Titans.