The preseason woes for the New Orleans Saints continued on Thursday night as they committed four turnovers to the New England Patriots by the score of 34-22.
“The first thing that stands out in a game like that is the four turnovers.” Sean Payton said on the team’s performance. “You come on the road and turn the ball over like that, two for touchdowns, and fumble on the first drive. You’re not gonna win many games”
The game started out with some promise after Drew Brees threw the deep ball on the first play from the line of scrimmage to Brandin Cooks for 37 yards. But two plays later, Mark Ingram fumbled to give the Patriots the ball. The Saints defense shut down New England, forcing them to punt, but with Garrett Grayson’s first pass, Jamie Collins took it to the house to make it 8-0 after a two-point conversion.
The Saints were able to tie things up later in the first quarter after a 48 yard punt return by Marcus Murphy to put them at New England’s 15 yard line. Four plays later, Mark Ingram waltzed in for a one yard touchdown and Grayson got in the endzone on the two-point conversion.
“I don’t like the fact that one of your first passes of the preseason goes the other way for a touchdown.” Payton said of the second-year quarterback. “I thought he made some plays on the move though.”
The Saints would take the lead in the second quarter with a rush up the middle from Mark Ingram and another successful two-point conversion made it 16-8. But the Pats would respond quickly with a four play drive that ended with LeGarrette Blount walking into the endzone, but were unable to tie things up after attempting a two-point conversion.
The Patriots would take the lead after a lengthy drive towards the end of the first half that was capped off with a 38-yarder from Stephen Gostkowski.
Luke McCown took over for Grayson in the second half and got the Saints down the field, but was picked off in the endzone by Cre’von Leblanc.
But the Saints weren’t done yet as they got another touchdown to get them within two points after a short pass from McCown connected with Reggie Bell in the endzone. But it didn’t last long as the Patriots would get a scoop and score after Trey Flowers sacked and recovered the fumble. New England would put the game away after another successful field goal from Gostkowski made it 34-22 in the fourth.
The Saints will next take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 20th at 7:00 pm.
-Clint Domingue