Instant Reaction: Saints Need OT To Sneak Past Bucs 37-31

The Saints let a 13-0 lead dwindle to 13-10 before the half.

Jimmy Graham did not return from the locker room after suffering a shoulder injury in the first half, leaving the Saints short on offense.

The Buccaneers kept things rolling coming out of the locker room, taking the lead on a Bobby Rainey touchdown run, giving them 17 unanswered points.

Things got even worse for the Saints, as Drew Brees threw his second interception of the game - this time returned 33 yards for a Tampa Bay touchdown, putting the deficit at 24-13 midway through the third.

Brees brought the Saints back within one score with a touchdown pass to Travaris Cadet, his second touchdown pass of the day.

Glennon continued his resurgent second half though, hooking up with receiver Robert Herron for another score that put Tampa back on top by 11 at 31-20.

The Saints offense did everything it could to try and come back, as Pierre Thomas found the endzone on a 23 yard run. A failed two point conversion was made up for by a safety minutes later, as the defense sacked Glennon in his own endzone on a 3rd and 29 attempt.

A Shayne Graham field goal sent the game into overtime, where a Khiry Robinson touchdown run gave the Saints the win.

Turning Point: Robinson found the edge down the left sideline where his 18 yard run got him into the endzone for the game-winner.

Key Stat: Brees threw three interceptions today, equaling his season total prior to this game.

Saints MVP: Drew Brees - 371 yards, two touchdowns on 57 pass attempts

He had some struggles in this game, but even without Graham, Brees was able to rally the Saints to a must-win game.

Bucs MVP: Vincent Jackson - eight catches, 144 yards

Jackson got things rolling with Glennon under center, allowing the young quarterback to find some consistency in a shootout game.

With Mike Evans out, Jackson is the main focus.

What's Next?

The Saints head into a bye week before going to Detroit on October 19. Despite the win, New Orleans needs to use the bye week to get right as they are still just 2-3 on the year.

The Bucs will host the Ravens next week, looking to get back in the win column. They have had considerably better results with Glennon under center, as he looks to claim the gig fulltime over Josh McCown.

Back to the New Orleans Saints Newsfeed