New Orleans Saints (2-2) – New York Giants (1-3) : 21-27, a.p
With the heart, New York went to achieve its first success in 2021. However, all was not perfect. The ineffectiveness on the 3rd attempt (4/11), in the red zone (1/3) and the missed field goal of Graham Gano almost cost them dearly. Badly embarked 7 minutes from the end, the men of Joe Judge have, at first, snatched the extension less than a minute from the end after recovering a deficit of 11 points. Carried by their momentum and benefiting from the first ball in overtime, they then surfed on the right momentum to win with the help of a Saquon Barkley on all the right shots (13 carries, 52 yards, 1 touchdown + 5 receptions , 74 yards, 1 touchdown) and a concentrated Daniel Jones (28/40, 402 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception + 4 carries, 27 yards, 1 transformation at 2 points).
Applied for a large part of the match, the Saints ended up cracking at the very end, spoiling the reunion with their audience. Since the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints had known how to reinvent themselves by pressing on the ground and minimizing the loss of balls. The formula has been applied to the letter. Alvin Kamara was force-fed the ball (26 carries, 120 yards) while a studious Jameis Winston (17/23, 226 yards, 1 touchdown) passed the 200-yard mark in the air and 22 passes thrown for the first time of the season. But that was not enough tonight.
Aggressive New York, more conservative New Orleans
Like an air of déjà vu. Returning for the first time in their Caesars Superdome since Hurricane Ida, we expected Saints galvanized by the event. We had to be patient. The start of the meeting was dominated by dominant defenses, exchanges of punts and missed field goals on both sides.
Better and better over the series, New York lights the first fuse. On the first attempt at mid-field, Daniel Jones aims directly for depth and finds John Ross (3 receptions, 77 yards, 1 touchdown) who crosses the end-zone for the opener. As since the start of the season, New Orleans is more conservative with an Alvin Kamara already subject to a heavy workload (14 litters out of the Saints’ 35 actions in 1e half-time). But it works. Short passes, ground play, Sean Payton’s men take their time (more than 8 minutes of possession), but manage to pick up just before the return from the locker room. Jameis Winston finding Juwan Johnson (2 receptions, 20 yards, 1 touchdown) on a 15-yard pass. With already 3 defeats on the clock, the visitors do not intend to waste the last 23 seconds on the clock and lengthen the game. Unfortunately, the last Ave Maria pass of this first act ends its race directly in the hands of Marcus Williams. A 41st ball lost by Jones since 2019.
Tayson Hill blows the hot … then the cold!
Titillated in his pride, the Saints coach also opens his playbook after the cut. Winston finds Marquez Callaway (2 receptions, 74 yards) on a reception of 58 yards (longest successful pass of the season on the Saints side), then Taysom Hill (2/3, 9 yards + 6 carries, 28 yards, 2 touchdowns + 2 receptions, 26 yards) alone pushes the New York defense to double the bet for the premises (14-7).
Taysom Hill with the POWER ???? #Saints
????: #NYGvsNO on FOX
????: NFL app pic.twitter.com/rSYuTHKV7X— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
What has the gift of waking up the public, which will go through all the emotions in a few seconds after the field goal of Graham Gano to reduce the gap. The immense joy, when Winston lets go of his arm and finds Kenny Stills in the end-zone for a gain of 46 yards. Sadness, when the touchdown was denied, due to a reported penalty against Adam Trautman. Finally the anger, after the interception of James Bradberry, while Hill tried to imitate his teammate with a long pass. A feeling that is not ready to leave the fans of the Saints. After a period of hesitation, New Orleans returns to the winning formula of the start of the match. Valiant defense, applied attack that controls the tempo and here they are again in the end-zone at the end of a new time-consuming drive (63 yards, 11 actions in more than 6 minutes). Hero of the day, handyman Taysom Hill is once again at the conclusion. In strength, on the ground and full center (21-10).
New York does not let go
Despite 11 points behind, New York does not want to fall without a fight. Jones finds Saquon Barkley sideline for a 25-yard reception, which turns into a long-distance touchdown (54 yards) after the runner’s slalom. The successful two-point conversion gives hope to Joe Judge’s men. A wait that materializes 36 seconds from the end when Gano returns his kick, synonymous with equalization and overtime. The tide has turned and the Saints are no longer there. As a symbol, the Giants reclaim the 1e possession of this additional time. And they do not let their chance pass. Nine actions, 75 yards and Barkley victoriously closes this surgical drive to the ground, to offer a first deserved success to his team.
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