Lutz lifts New Orleans past hard- luck L. A.

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 bounced off the right upright.

Drew Brees rushed for a 1- yard touchdown and hit tight end Jared Cook for a 41yard score.

Rookie 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 17point lead for a second straight game.

Herbert, who was named the starter for the remainder of the season this week, finished 20- of- 34 for 264 yards without an turnover. Five of his completions went to Williams for 109 yards and two TDs.

Brees finished 33- of- 47 for 325 yards. Kamara had 119 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by his leaping, juggling catch along the right sideline over the head of safety Rayshawn Jenkins to set up Hill’s tying TD.

The Chargers became the first team to lose 17- point leads in consecutive weeks since the 2003 Atlanta Falcons. For the Chargers, both have come on the road against an NFC South team led by a quarterback older than 40.

In Week 4, it was Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady. This week it was Brees -- the NFL’s alltime leader in completions, yards and touchdowns.

Brees’ dive over a pile of linemen at the goal line made it 20- 10 14 seconds before halftime.