|
|
CHI |
NO |
Brees leads Saints past Bears, 20-12, for 5th straight win
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Drew Brees delivered accurate, aggressive throws downfield in tense moments, when conventional wisdom might have called for a more conservative play.
New Orleans' defense came up with a fourth-down stop and rookie Marshon Lattimore's interception on its final two series.
Kicker Wil Lutz hit from 45 and 49 yards in the second half, hitting the longer kick inside the final two minutes.
Frequent clutch performances in all phases allowed the surging Saints to once again overcome some potentially disastrous mistakes and win their fifth straight, 20-12 over the feisty Chicago Bears on Sunday.
''This was encouraging because I think in the past there's been very little room for error,'' said Brees, who completed 23 of 28 passes for 299 yards without an interception against a Bears defense that ranked sixth against the pass. ''While it's frustrating that I don't feel like we're playing our best football - really, anywhere near our best football - we're still finding ways to win.''
Running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara each ran for touchdowns for New Orleans (5-2). Ingram finished with 99 yards from scrimmage, including 75 on the ground, but his two late fumbles kept the Bears (3-5) in the game into the final minutes.
''I was terrible. I let my teammates down, put us in a bad position,'' Ingram said. ''The game was only close because I sucked.''
Kamara had 76 yards from scrimmage - 48 receiving, including his 34-yard, back-shoulder catch along the sideline in the fourth quarter.
The Saints were threatening to score both times the Bears stripped the ball from Ingram.
''We found a way to make it interesting,'' Payton said. ''To turn the ball over like we did, you don't deserve to win games like that.''
Chicago converted the first fumble into its only touchdown with 3:43 left on Tarik Cohen's short dive over a pile of players at the goal line. The second turnover occurred with a little more than two minutes left on the Bears 30, but Chicago was unable to get a first down as rookie Mitchell Trubisky's fourth-and-1 pass fell incomplete.
Bears coach John Fox said he considered running the ball, which is his team's strength, but stopped short of expressing regret over his decision.
''It was like flipping a coin,'' Fox said. ''It was 50-50.''
Chicago had one more chance to tie after Lutz's field goal with 1:35 left, but Lattimore's interception ended that threat.
''It's hard to predict a rookie's growth. But he has got exceptional ball skills and a lot of confidence,'' Payton said of Lattimore.
Trubisky completed 14 of 32 passes for 164 yards in his fourth start. Chicago's Jordan Howard had 102 yards rushing on 23 carries.
''We're getting closer as an offense. Nobody has their heads down,'' Trubisky said. ''I'm really excited for where this team is headed.''
MISSED CHANCES
In the third quarter, Chicago had a TD overturned on video review after Zach Miller's 25-yard catch, during which the tight end's left leg bent unnaturally as he landed. As Miller was carted off the field with what Fox said was a dislocated knee, officials ruled that replay showed the ground caused the ball to loosen in Miller's grasp as his upper body crashed to the turf.
On the game's opening possession, Chicago's defense was offside on a field goal attempt, putting New Orleans' offense back on the field. The result was Kamara's 8-yard touchdown run.
Later, Trubisky took a third-down sack by end Trey Hendrickson in Saints territory. That pushed back Connor Barth's field goal attempt to 48 yards, and he hooked it.
TAKING SHOTS
Brees' longest completion was a 53-yard heave to receiver Ted Ginn between two defenders late in the fourth quarter, flipping field position before Ingram's second fumble. Brees also connected with Michael Thomas seven times for 77 yards.
''We were able to hit them a time or two,'' said Brees, who became the NFL's fastest to 6,000 completions, reaching the milestone in his 240th game. ''We were also making some big plays down the field. ... We're going to call (downfield passes), and if they're there, we'll take the shots.''
INJURIES
Fox said Miller was taken from the game to hospital to have his knee injury treated.
''He'll be in our thoughts and prayers on our flight home,'' Fox said.
Injuries also struck two Bears offensive linemen. Right guard Kyle Long left the game with a hand injury in the first quarter and center Cody Whitehair left later with an elbow injury.
UP NEXT
Bears: Chicago gets its bye week before hosting Green Bay on Nov. 12.
Saints: Stay in New Orleans to play their second NFC South Division opponent this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
J. Howard
24 RB 102 RuYds, 19 ReYds, 3 RECs |
11
FPTS
|
|
M. Ingram
5 RB 75 RuYds, RuTD, 24 ReYds, 6 RECs |
11
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. TrubiskyÂ
10 QB
9 FPTS
|
M. Trubisky | 14/32 | 164 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. HowardÂ
24 RB
11 FPTS
|
J. Howard | 23 | 102 | 0 | 50 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. TrubiskyÂ
10 QB
9 FPTS
|
M. Trubisky | 3 | 53 | 0 | 46 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. CohenÂ
29 RB
6 FPTS
|
T. Cohen | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CunninghamÂ
30 RB
0 FPTS
|
B. Cunningham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. McBrideÂ
18 WR
9 FPTS
|
T. McBride | 5 | 3 | 92 | 0 | 45 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. WrightÂ
13 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Wright | 8 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HowardÂ
24 RB
11 FPTS
|
J. Howard | 5 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SimsÂ
88 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Sims | 5 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BrownÂ
85 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Brown | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. CohenÂ
29 RB
6 FPTS
|
T. Cohen | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GentryÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Gentry | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. ShaheenÂ
87 TE
0 FPTS
|
A. Shaheen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. CunninghamÂ
30 RB
0 FPTS
|
B. Cunningham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. MillerÂ
86 TE
0 FPTS
|
Z. Miller | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. TrevathanÂ
59 ILB
|
D. Trevathan | 9-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. AmosÂ
38 SS
|
A. Amos | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesÂ
52 ILB
|
C. Jones | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. FullerÂ
23 CB
|
K. Fuller | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. UnreinÂ
98 DE
|
M. Unrein | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BullardÂ
90 DE
|
J. Bullard | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. AchoÂ
93 OLB
|
S. Acho | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Houston-CarsonÂ
36 FS
|
D. Houston-Carson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. FloydÂ
94 OLB
|
L. Floyd | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. AmukamaraÂ
20 CB
|
P. Amukamara | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. McPheeÂ
92 OLB
|
P. McPhee | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HicksÂ
96 DE
|
A. Hicks | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BrownÂ
85 TE
|
D. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. JacksonÂ
39 FS
|
E. Jackson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. LeBlancÂ
22 CB
|
C. LeBlanc | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BellamyÂ
15 WR
|
J. Bellamy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CallahanÂ
37 CB
|
B. Callahan | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GoldmanÂ
91 NT
|
E. Goldman | 0-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. BarthÂ
4 K
6 FPTS
|
C. Barth | 2/3 | 44 | 0/0 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
P. O'DonnellÂ
16 P
|
P. O'Donnell | 5 | 54.0 | 2 | 61 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. CohenÂ
29 RB
6 FPTS
|
T. Cohen | 1 | 46.0 | 46 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Cohen 29 RB
6 FPTS
|
T. Cohen | 1 | -1.0 | -1 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
11 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 23/28 | 299 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. ThomasÂ
13 WR
7 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 9 | 7 | 77 | 0 | 23 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnÂ
19 WR
6 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 4 | 2 | 68 | 0 | 53 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. ColemanÂ
16 WR
5 FPTS
|
B. Coleman | 1 | 1 | 54 | 0 | 54 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
12 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 3 | 3 | 48 | 0 | 34 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillÂ
89 TE
2 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 4 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. IngramÂ
22 RB
11 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 6 | 6 | 24 | 0 | 16 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. FleenerÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
C. Fleener | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. VaccaroÂ
32 SS
|
K. Vaccaro | 6-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsÂ
43 FS
|
M. Williams | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. RobertsonÂ
52 OLB
|
C. Robertson | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Te'oÂ
51 MLB
|
M. Te'o | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LattimoreÂ
23 CB
|
M. Lattimore | 3-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. CrawleyÂ
20 CB
|
K. Crawley | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. KleinÂ
53 OLB
|
A. Klein | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OnyemataÂ
93 DT
|
D. Onyemata | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BellÂ
48 FS
|
V. Bell | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JordanÂ
94 DE
|
C. Jordan | 2-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. LutzÂ
3 K
|
W. Lutz | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ArmsteadÂ
72 T
|
T. Armstead | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisonÂ
95 DT
|
T. Davison | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. OkaforÂ
57 DE
|
A. Okafor | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HendricksonÂ
91 DE
|
T. Hendrickson | 1-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardeeÂ
34 DB
|
J. Hardee | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
|
D. Brees | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. RankinsÂ
98 DT
|
S. Rankins | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. LutzÂ
3 K
8 FPTS
|
W. Lutz | 2/2 | 49 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. MorsteadÂ
6 P
|
T. Morstead | 4 | 51.0 | 2 | 61 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Ginn 19 WR
6 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 3 | 7.3 | 14 | 0 |