NewOrleans holds off L.A. on Lutz field goal
NEW ORLEANS — Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:08 left in overtime and New Orleans’ defense stopped Chargers receiver Mike Williams just short on fourth down to preserve a 30-27 victory over seemingly starcrossed Los Angeles on Monday night.
Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, who missed his first career point-after kick wide right in the first quarter, had a chance to redeem himself when he lined up for a potential game-winner from 50 yards in the final seconds of regulation. But his kick bounced off the right upright.
Drew Brees rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and hit tight end Jared Cook for a 41-yard score.
Justin Herbert’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 64-yarder to Michael Williams, briefly put Los Angeles back in front before the Saints (3-2) tied it on Taysom Hill’s 9-yard run with 52 seconds left in regulation.
The Chargers (1-4) fell to their fourth straight loss by a touchdown or less, and the second in overtime. They also blew a 17-point lead for a second straight game.
Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport made his season debut and Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa also was activated.
Davenport has missed the Saints’ first four games with elbow and toe injuries and had been listed as questionable on the club’s final injury report of theweek on Saturday.
Likewise, Bosa (triceps, knee) and receiver Mike Williams (hamstring) both were listed as questionable but were cleared to play.
Davenport is one of three Saints who did not play in a victory at Detroit inWeek 4 who’ve been cleared to play after being listed as questionable, along with cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), left guard Andrus Peat (ankle) and tight end Jared Cook ( groin).
Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, also listed as questionable because of a thumb injury, remained active as he has been through the first four games.