Canal Street Chronicles
The New Orleans Saints sought their first win of the season when they hosted the New York Giants on Sunday. Here’s a quick look at all the action from the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints got the game underway with a three-and-out on the opening possession.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart responded with a fast start on the Giants’ first drive, throwing for 43 yards on his first 5 throws and capping off the drive with a touchdown pass to Theo Johnson to put the Giants up 7-0.
Spencer Rattler found his feet as the offense returned, connecting with a variety of receivers on a long Saints drive that was almost cut short by an interception nullified by a defensive pass interference.
But Rattler failed to find the yards to gain on a 3rd-and-14 in the red zone. Blake Grupe made his field goal attempt from 28 yards, and the Saints trailed 7-3.
Dart scrambled for 20 yards on the final play of the first quarter as the Giants offense returned and drove into Saints territory.
Dart connected with Darius Slayton for 16 yards to move inside the red zone before he found Johnson for another touchdown to extend the visitors’ lead.
The Saints responded with another long drive. Passes to Rashid Shaheed, Devaughn Vele, Juwan Johnson and Chris Olave were coupled with runs from Kendre Miller, Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill and Rattler as most of the offense got involved.
But a pair of incompletions intended for Olave meant the hosts had to settle for 3 again, and Grupe hit from 53 yards to make it 14-6.
Another scramble from Dart would be the only first down the Giants managed as they got the ball back, and they soon punted back to the Saints.
The ensuing play was an early contender for the best of the Saints’ season, as Rattler connected with Shaheed on 1st-and-10 for an 87-yard touchdown pass.
Now down just a point, the Saints defense forced another quick punt from New York.
A pass interference against Andru Phillips helped the black and gold move back into field goal range quickly, but Grupe missed from 52 yards and the Giants remained on top 14-13.
Nevertheless, Demario Davis forced a fumble from Slayton before Jonas Sanker ran the ball back into New York territory. This time, Grupe made no mistake from 29 yards, and the Saints led at the half, 16-14.
Devin Singletary ran the Giants past midfield as the second half began, but Dart then fumbled. Cam Jordan recovered it for the black and gold.
Rattler threw to Olave for 17 yards and Johnson for 19 yards, but it was another field goal attempt for Grupe after a pair of incompletions on 2nd- and 3rd-and-goal. He was good again to make it 19-14.
The Giants began their next drive, finding good yards through Cam Skattebo before the quarter’s end.
New York’s progress was instantly halted, though, when Skattebo...
