Canal Street Chronicles
What went down in Los Angeles.
On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints continued their downward spiral in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Initially, both teams started the game out slow. Los Angeles would go three and out on their first drive. New Orleans would also punt, but after a 23-yard Alvin Kamara run.
The defense of the Saints managed to hold it together in the first quarter, forcing the chargers to punt on their second drive. Special teams would then take advantage on the ensuing muffed punt, netting a safety.
The Saints would punt as well on their second offensive possession. They were close to a third and short, but a holding penalty would bring the team back to a 2nd and 19. Spencer Rattler would have a 14-yard competition to tight end Taysom Hill, but the offense wouldn’t be able to overcome a third and five.
Still holding strong, the defense of the Saints would force the Chargers to punt for a third straight drive. Unfortunately the Chargers defense would do the same thing and force the Saints to punt once again.
On their next drive, Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense would put points of the board. Featuring a 38-yard scramble by Herbert, they would go down and kick a field goal at the start of the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the Saints would not be able to respond. On their first drive of the second quarter, they would literally go backwards. On a drive where they had negative two yards gained, they would punt after four plays. A completion to Taysom Hill would earn them a first down, but it would be taken back on another holding penalty.
The next two drives would feature punts by both teams. It wouldn’t be until there was under two minutes left in the half for a touchdown to be scored.
On an eight-minute 15 play drive, the LA Chargers would march 90 yards down the field. Using chunk plays, they were able to tire the New Orleans defense out. However, their drive was helped out on a pass interference call on cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Just a few plays after the PI would be a one-yard touchdown run by J.K Dobbins. The PAT would be unsuccessful.
Luckily, the Saints would be able to respond, although not with a touchdown. On a drive that took the rest of the second half, New Orleans would go down the field for a successful field goal by Blake Grupe. The drive would also feature a nice completion to TE Juwan Johnson for 22-yards.
New Orleans would receive the ball to open up the second half. However, they would continue their trend of punting the ball. This time, on a legit three-and-out. The Chargers would punt to open the second half as well.
On their second drive of the half, the Saints would punt once again. Their defense would then continue their trend of giving up...
