Oct 15, 2006, 20:50 GMT
New Orleans, LA - John Carney kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to lift the New Orleans Saints over the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24, in a battle of division leaders at the Superdome.
The Saints (5-1) squandered a 17-3 halftime lead, but closed out the contest with 10 unanswered points to claim a statement win and improve to 3-0 at home.
With Philadelphia out of timeouts and unable to stop the clock, New Orleans held onto the ball for the final 8:26 and knelt down three times before Carney split the uprights.
Drew Brees finished 27-of-37 for 275 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions, with two of the those touchdown tosses going to Joe Horn. In all, Horn hauled in six balls for 110 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 24-24.
Donovan McNabb went 19-of-32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Eagles (4-2), who were coming off an emotional win over Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys. Reggie Brown had six catches for 121 yards with a score and also had a rushing touchdown, while Brian Westbrook finished with 72 yards on 16 carries.
New Orleans dominated the opening 30 minutes, but the Eagles used a big play in the infant stages of the third quarter to get right back in the game. On the third play of the second half McNabb hit Brown on a deep crossing rout, and the second-year wideout evaded would-be tacklers before sprinting into the end zone for a 60-yard TD.
The McNabb to Brown show continued later in the third, as the two hooked up for completions of 17 and 16 yards, respectively, to move the Eagles into striking distance. McNabb then ran a play-action from the four, rolled out and found L.J. Smith for a touchdown that evened the contest at 17-17 with 1:03 left in the quarter.
The defense got into the mix moments later when Darwin Walker intercepted a tipped pass to set Philly up at the New Orleans 15. On the very next play, Brown scored on an end around to put the Eagles ahead by seven.
New Orleans responded immediately with a 48-yard score from Brees to Horn. Horn made a double move on safety Michael Lewis to shake free, then hauled in the well-placed pass before scampering to pay dirt unimpeded to knot the game at 24-24.
'They have some aggressive players, some football players that come on the ball. We felt that coming out on that bootleg that we felt like we could get Joe to run and get them. It went just like we expected,' said Brees.
The defense came up big on the ensuing possession to give the ball back to Brees with under nine minutes to play. The signal-caller responded by going 7- for-7 down the stretch, including an eight-yard pass to Deuce McAllister that brought the Saints down to the Philly 15. Moments later, Carney booted the game-winner.
'Obviously we have a lot of respect for Donovan McNabb and their offense because they were moving the ball pretty good. So the idea of not giving them the ball again was appealing to me,' said Saints head coach Sean Payton.
The Saints stormed out of the gates, scoring on their first two possessions to assume a 10-0 lead.
A healthy mix of McAllister and Reggie Bush on the opening drive brought New Orleans deep into Eagles territory, and Carney capped the 11-play, 47-yard march with a 39-yard field goal.
Brees hooked up with Horn for a 14-yard TD completion on the team's next possession to make it a 10-point game. Brees was 4-of-4 on the drive, including a strike to the veteran receiver in the middle of the end zone with 19 seconds left in the opening quarter.
Philadelphia got on the board midway through the second quarter courtesy of a 47-yard field goal by David Akers. A critical special teams error by Philly, however, swung the momentum back to New Orleans.
While attempting to field a punt, Dexter Wynn was run into by his own player as the ball caromed off him and into the arms of Terrance Copper. Brees then hit Marques Colston for a seven-yard TD moments later to give the Saints a 17-3 advantage heading into halftime.
Game Notes
Bush had 11 carries for 25 yards, and added four receptions for 35 yards.McAllister had 64 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.Smith finished with four receptions for 48 yards.Philadelphia leads the all-time regular season series with New Orleans, 14-9, and had won the last five such matchups dating back to 1992.
Bush had 11 carries for 25 yards, and added four receptions for 35 yards.
McAllister had 64 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.
Smith finished with four receptions for 48 yards.
Philadelphia leads the all-time regular season series with New Orleans, 14-9, and had won the last five such matchups dating back to 1992.
© 2006 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story