Following an offseason like any other, filled with contract disputes and bounty scandals, the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees knew they would have to fight for wins this season. Maybe just not this much.
The Saints lost for the second time at home already this season, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime on Sunday. Last year the Saints went unbeaten at home.
"We are far from talking about the Super Bowl right now," Brees told the Associated Press. "What need to focus on is getting one win."
New Orleans had an 18-point lead in the third quarter but couldn't hold on as Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop added a franchise-record six field goals.
"The best part is our guys never gave up," said Succop, a perfect 6 for 6 on kicks ranging from 25 to 45 yards. "We kept fighting, it was a huge team win and I'm just really excited to have had a part in it."
After two turnovers by the Chiefs in the third quarter, the Saints began to pull away. Dexter McCluster fumbled, which led to a Jimmy Graham touchdown, then cornerback Jabari Green intercepted Matt Cassel to set up another Brees touchdown.
The Saints were comfortably leading 24-6 following the touchdown to Jed Collins, but they had no answer for what Kansas City did next.
Running back Jamaal Charles was stellar for the Chiefs, rushing for 223 yards and adding 55 receiving yards. He also had a 91-yard touchdown run, the longest in Chiefs history, to help start the Kansas City comeback with five minutes left in the third.
The fourth quarter was dominated by the Chiefs, who scored 18 unanswered points to tie the game and send it to overtime. The comeback also included an improbable safety of Drew Brees to bring the score to 24-21 before Succop hit a 43-yard field goal with three seconds left in regulation.
"This team needed a win, and a win like that really helped out in particular," Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said. "There were a lot of doubts about what we could do and they showed a lot of character."
New Orleans almost got the win in overtime after Chiefs running back Shaun Draughn appeared to fumble and safety Roman Harper returned it into the end zone. But a video review showed that it was not a fumble, setting up a fourth-and-one for the Chiefs.
Charles converted the fourth down to help set up the winning field goal.
"We knew coming in that we could run against this defense," Charles said. "It was an opportunity we had to take advantage of."
All three teams the Saints have lost to sit at 1-2 after three weeks. Brees threw a touchdown in his 46th consecutive game, which puts him one behind Johnny Unitas for the all-time record.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Saints, who visit the Green Bacy Packers next week.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
