New Orleans rallies to hand L.A. another tough loss
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 star-crossed 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 after Williams’ leaping catch between two defenders put the Chargers on the Saints’ 32-yard line in the final seconds. But Badgley’s 50-yard kick as time expired hit f the right upright.
“The young man has been kicking outstanding. He’s got to do better, but we could have done some other things better,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.
Drew Brees rushed for a 1yard touchdown and hit tight end Jared Cook for a 41yard score as the Saints rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second quarter.
“This is how you grow as a team,“Brees said. “This is how you become battle-tested — and I think it pays dividends.”
Rookie Justin Herbert’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 64-yarder to Michael Williams, 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, with
the first coming against Tampa Bay and another quarterback over the age of 40, Tom Brady.
“Never thought this team would lose four straight.
We’ve put ourselves in position, but we didn’t get it done,” Lynn said. “We have to finish these damn games.”
Herbert, finished 20 of 34 for 264 yards without an turnover. Five of his completions went to Williams for 109 yards and two TDs. Brees was 33 of 47 for 325 yards, including 12 completions to Emmanuel Sanders for 122 yards.