The New Orleans Saints looked like they were on their way to a statement win.
Then everything fell apart.
The Las Vegas Raiders erased a double-digit second-half deficit and stormed back to defeat the Saints 35–27, taking advantage of a stunning series of New Orleans turnovers to completely flip a game the Saints appeared to control.
For much of the afternoon, Tyler Shough was excellent. He threw four touchdown passes without a turnover and had the Saints offense rolling.
Then came the fourth quarter.
Shough went from four touchdowns and zero turnovers to turning the ball over on three consecutive Saints possessions. New Orleans later received one final opportunity to mount a comeback, only for Juwan Johnson to fumble and essentially end the game.
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins and the Raiders refused to go away.
First Quarter: Saints Strike First
Las Vegas opened the scoring with a field goal, but New Orleans responded through Shough.
Shough found Juwan Johnson for a 2-yard touchdown, although the extra point was blocked, giving the Saints a 6–3 advantage.
It was the beginning of what would become an unbelievable afternoon for the tight ends in this game.
Second Quarter: Tight Ends Take Over
The Raiders tied the game with another field goal before Cousins put together a touchdown drive.
A costly roughing-the-passer penalty against New Orleans helped keep the possession alive, and Las Vegas made the Saints pay.
Cousins connected with Michael Mayer for a 3-yard touchdown, putting the Raiders ahead.
New Orleans answered before halftime.
Shough repeatedly made plays under pressure, including several important connections with Chris Olave, and found Noah Fant for a 3-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Las Vegas managed to add a field goal just before halftime, taking a 16–13 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter: New Orleans Takes Control
The Saints came flying out of halftime.
Shough led an impressive opening drive and connected with Juwan Johnson for his second touchdown of the afternoon, giving New Orleans the lead.
Then disaster struck for Las Vegas.
The Raiders fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, and New Orleans recovered.
The Saints immediately capitalized.
Shough rolled to his right and found Noah Fant for a 16-yard touchdown, Fant’s second score of the game and Shough’s fourth touchdown pass.
Suddenly, the Saints led 27–16 and appeared to have complete control.
But the Raiders weren’t finished.
Mike Washington Jr. broke loose for what was initially ruled a 35-yard run down to the 1-yard line. Replay showed his foot remained in bounds and that he had broken the plane.
The ruling was changed to a 36-yard Washington touchdown, cutting into the Saints’ advantage.
That play changed the momentum.
Fourth Quarter: Complete Saints Collapse
New Orleans had opportunities to put the game away.
Instead, mistakes took over.
The Saints were putting together what looked like a potential game-clinching drive when they fumbled, giving Las Vegas another opportunity.
Cousins took advantage.
He lofted a pass to Cody White for a touchdown, although the ensuing two-point attempt failed when Cousins was sacked.
Then Shough’s afternoon completely unraveled.
After throwing four touchdowns without a turnover, Shough was intercepted. The Raiders nearly gave the ball straight back when the defender fumbled during the return, but Las Vegas recovered its own fumble deep in New Orleans territory.
The Raiders again made the Saints pay.
Cousins found Brock Bowers for a touchdown, completing an incredible comeback and extending the Raiders’ lead.
The Bowers touchdown also capped an extraordinary day for the tight ends.
All six passing touchdowns in the game went to tight ends, tying an NFL record.
For New Orleans, Johnson caught two touchdowns and Fant caught two. For Las Vegas, Mayer and Bowers each caught one.
Bowers was especially dominant, finishing with 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The Saints still had chances.
Shough was later sacked on fourth down and fumbled, completing a brutal stretch of three consecutive New Orleans drives ending in Shough turnovers — fumble, interception, fumble.
Yet somehow, New Orleans received another opportunity.
Shough appeared to throw another interception, but an illegal-contact penalty erased it. He immediately responded with a 20-yard completion to Olave as the Saints began marching again.
Then came the final mistake.
Juwan Johnson fumbled, allowing Las Vegas to take possession and essentially put the game away.
Final Thoughts
What a turnaround.
Tyler Shough’s final stretch will overshadow what had been an excellent performance. He threw four touchdown passes and had New Orleans in position to take control of the game, but the Saints simply committed too many mistakes when it mattered most.
Las Vegas deserves plenty of credit for making them pay.
Cousins remained composed as the Raiders fell behind, Bowers delivered a huge performance, and the Raiders continued fighting even when New Orleans appeared ready to pull away.
The Saints had control.
They had opportunities to finish it.
Instead, turnover after turnover opened the door, and Las Vegas kicked it down.
Final: Raiders 35, Saints 27.
If you enjoyed this recap, make sure to like the post and subscribe to Ethical Sports Takes for more NFL coverage throughout the season.
Leave a Reply