Saints Survive a Scare As They Win In OT

Coming into this game the Redskins were 9.5 point underdogs, that was only motivation to the Redskins. Coming into the game the Saints were (11-0) and untested. The Redskins were (3-8) and looking to be a spoiler. Remember the Minnesota Vikings are right behind the Saints with a (10-1) record. So a Saints loss could put the Vikings in the driver seat for 1st place in the NFC.

The Redskins offense came out striking and went up (10-0) early in the game, and never looked back. Their offense was clicking but most importantly the Redskins red zone defense held the saints offense in check. The Saints were down in the red zone 3 times and didn't score on any attempts.

However the Saints red zone defense only allowed the Redskins to capitalize on three scoring drives inside the 20 out of their seven tries. The Saints defense also forced 4 turnover; 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

But the Saints still trailed all game. Trying to avoid the huge upset, the Saints fought back in the fourth after going down (30-20) with 12:51 left in the game. Drew Brees lead the saints on a 12 play 69 yard drive to close the league to 3.

The Saints got the ball back on their 20 with a 1:51 left on the game clock. Drew Brees lead the Saints to a 5 play 80 yard touchdown drive which knotted the game up at 30. The Saints got the ball back but missed a field goal as time expired to go into overtime.

In overtime the Redskins won the toss and elected to receive, but that's when the Saints defense did what they do best. They came up with the biggest turnover in the game, forcing Mike Sellers to fumble the football as the newly required Chris McAllister recovered it on the Was 37.

The Saints offense marched down to the Was 1, and that's when Garret Hartley kicked the game winning field goal to give the Saints the (33-30) win. Drew Brees finished the game with 419 yards passing with 2 touchdowns to keep the Saints a perfect (12-0)