(New Orleans) Wil Lutz had a 36-yard field goal with 5:08 remaining in overtime and the New Orleans Saints defense held up to guide the team to a 30-27 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday night. In overtime, the Chargers quietly came back on the field and faced a fourth down and seven yards to go. Quarterback Justin Herbert passed to Mike Williams, but the latter was stopped within inches of a first down, ending the game. Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, who missed a career-first convert in the first quarter, had the opportunity to give his team the win in the dying seconds of the game, but his 50-yard field goal shot hit the post to the right.
“This young man has been very good for us as a kicker. He has to do better, but there are things we could have done better too, ”said Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn. Drew Brees, in what should be his last game against the drafting team, landed a touchdown and threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook. The Saints erased a 17-point delay in the second quarter before winning.
“This is how you grow as a team,” said Brees. This is how you become able to overcome hardship and it pays dividends. "
Herbert's fourth touchdown of the game, 64 yards to Williams, gave the Chargers a brief lead. The Saints (3-2) responded with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Tayson Hill crossed the goal line after a nine-yard run. The Chargers (1-4) lost their fourth straight game by a touchdown and under and a second in overtime.
“I never thought this team would lose four games in a row. We're in a position to win, but we're not doing the job, Lynn observed. We have to complete these matches. "
Herbert, who was named the starter for the remainder of the season, completed 20 of his 34 passes for gains of 264 yards. Five of his passes landed in Williams' hands, including two for a major, for gains of 109 yards.
Brees ended the game with 33 passes grabbed in 47 attempts and for gains of 325 yards. Emmanuel Sanders was his target of choice and the receiver had 12 receptions for a total of 122 yards. Alvin Kamara had 119 yards from the line of scrimmage.
The Chargers became the first team to let slip a 17-point lead in two straight weeks since the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. In the case of the Los Angeles team, both losses were conceded to quarters over 40 years old.
In the fourth week of activities, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also hit the Chargers.