Saints end losing streak with 24-17 win over Bucs

Moments after a costly loss to New Orleans, Tampa Bay coach Lovie Smith wanted to get right back on the field as soon as possible. The 2013 Heisman Trophy victor has thrown 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions in the red zone, in addition to scoring a team-leading five TDs rushing. “At the same time, we’ve been kind of dealing with this all year”. “A lot of miscues, a lot of things like that – drops, I had a big drop at the end”. His stats are still up there, and the offense entered Sunday ranked fourth. To hear Payton’s full interview, click the link below.

Former Saints running back Deuce McAllister handled the color analyst duties on the Saints’ radio broadcast Sunday, taking over from long-time announcer Hokie Gajan as he recently began treatment for cancer.

New Orleans Advocate Saints beat writer Joel A. Erickson noted in his column yesterday afternoon that the Saints defense has communicated better before the snap since Allen took over, allowing the Saints to improve one of the league’s worst run defenses by getting more tacklers to the ball.

New Orleans has responded by helping Colston stay fresh. “Quick turnaround, we’ve got the Rams (on the road Thursday) and (must) play better”.

“I think it says a lot about our team”, Brees said. We made enough plays offensively and we were good with the football. “What I can control is how I prepare for this next game and when that time comes, do everything I can to give my team a chance to win….”

Tempers boiled over in the second half, when Mike Evans and Browner were fighting after almost every play. Wilson came through in negative fashion again, committing his third penalty of the game, this time an illegal contact infraction to help Tampa Bay. When you do that, you are going to win. The Saints have won seven of the past eight meetings.

Brees, who also tied Manning for most career 300-yard games with his 93rd, recalled traveling to Miami for a preseason game as a rookie and seeing some of Marino’s statistics and records on display.

The Carolina loss was the Saints’ fourth this season of seven points or less, and the third that was decided in the final 90 seconds (both Carolina games) or overtime (Tennessee). Tampa Bay had one interception when the team met earlier this year. The Saints drove 60 yards in 10 plays, taking 4:32 off the clock.

-RUSHING OFFENSE: C-plus. It would be easy to hand out a lower grade here considering the Saints rushed for only 87 yards on 35 attempts and netted just 2.5 yards per carry. I’ve got to be more mature. Coach Sean Payton joined Deke Bellavia and Bobby Hebert Monday night on the Saints Coaches Show on WWL Radio. “Whatever it takes to win, they’re going to do it”. With a rookie quarterback at the helm they stand on the verge of possibly reaching a winning record for the first time in the past three seasons.