EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New Orleans Saints finally found their way back into the win column. They also found a way to make a commanding lead feel anything but comfortable.
Behind four total touchdowns from Tyler Shough, New Orleans defeated the New York Giants 34–27 Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Saints improved to 2–4, ending a three-game losing streak, while the Giants fell to 3–2–1. What became a 34–10 New Orleans advantage still required the Saints to survive a frantic finish. Oct. 18, 2026
There was plenty to build on: a productive running game, scoring contributions from different receivers, disruptive defensive plays and a special-teams turnover that changed the afternoon.
There was also a closing stretch that should keep Kellen Moore’s staff from confusing relief with a complete performance.
Final score
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 34 |
| Giants | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 27 |
Quarter totals calculated from the official scoring summary. Oct. 18, 2026
Special teams rescued the first half
The Saints trailed 10–0 before Daniel Carlson connected from 58 yards. Then a play away from the offense changed the direction of the game: Isaiah Stalbird forced Charlie Jones to fumble the ensuing kickoff, and Oscar Delp recovered.
New Orleans turned that opportunity into Shough’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Lance, reaching halftime tied 10–10. That recovery gave an offense struggling to generate passing production a chance to finish a short field.
The defense helped keep the deficit manageable. Carl Granderson, Chase Young and Pete Werner each recorded a first-half sack, keeping pressure on the Giants while the Saints searched for traction. 2026 NFL Week 6
Shough turned opportunities into touchdowns
The Saints took control after halftime. Alvin Kamara turned a short completion into a 31-yard touchdown, Shough added a 1-yard scoring run, and Carlson’s 51-yard field goal extended the lead to 27–10.
After Julian Blackmon intercepted Jameis Winston, Shough found Chris Olave for an 18-yard touchdown. New Orleans had answered its early deficit with 34 consecutive points. Oct. 18, 2026
Shough’s four-touchdown afternoon showed the value of finishing possessions. With scores through the air and on the ground, he gave the Saints different ways to reach the end zone. Lance, Kamara and Olave all caught touchdown passes. Oct. 18, 2026
The passing game still has room to grow. Sustaining drives between those scoring opportunities will matter just as much when New Orleans faces its next close finish.
A running foundation and a historic day for Kamara
New Orleans’ ground game gave the offense a firmer foundation. Kendre Miller handled the largest workload, C.J. Donaldson supplied another rushing option, and Shough contributed with his legs. Sharing that responsibility gave the Saints more ways to move the ball than asking the quarterback to manufacture everything through the air. Oct. 18, 2026
Kamara’s touchdown carried historical significance, too. The 31-yard reception made him the sixth player in NFL history with at least 5,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards.
He joined Marshall Faulk, Lenny Moore, Marcus Allen, Christian McCaffrey and Tiki Barber. neworleanssaints.com
That milestone reflects the range that has defined Kamara’s career. On an afternoon when the Saints needed several players to contribute, his ability to turn a reception into a touchdown remained central to the result.
The takeaways mattered; the finish needs work
Martin Emerson Jr. intercepted both Winston and replacement quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Along with Blackmon’s pick, those plays helped New Orleans take control of the middle of the game. neworleanssaints.com
McCarthy then led a 17-point rally, cutting the deficit to seven. After forcing a Saints punt, New York drove to the New Orleans 14-yard line before turning the ball over on downs with five seconds remaining. Reuters
For Moore and his staff, that finish demands a hard review. Protecting a large lead requires the offense to extend possessions and the defense to limit explosive gains. Both responsibilities belong in the conversation about how this game became close again.
New Orleans earned a needed victory. The next step is turning the productive stretches into a performance that holds together through the final possession.
Team stat box
| Statistic | Saints | Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Total net yards | 319 | 461 |
| Rushing yards | 175 | 84 |
| Passing yards, gross | 144 | 395 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 3 |
| Penalties–yards | 7–52 | 10–73 |
| Time of possession | 31:02 | 28:58 |
Gross passing yards are before sack-yardage deductions. Giants rushing/passing yards and interceptions are summed from the official player lines. Oct. 18, 2026
Individual stat boxes
New Orleans Saints
| Player | Key numbers |
|---|---|
| Tyler Shough | 16/30 passing, 144 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 32 rushing yards, 1 TD |
| Kendre Miller | 20 carries, 70 yards |
| C.J. Donaldson | 6 carries, 39 yards |
| Alvin Kamara | 34 rushing yards; 2 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD |
| Chris Olave | 4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD |
| Devaughn Vele | 3 receptions, 42 yards |
| Bryce Lance | 2 receptions, 9 yards, 1 TD |
| Martin Emerson Jr. | 2 interceptions |
| Julian Blackmon | 1 interception |
| Daniel Carlson | Made field goals from 58 and 51 yards |
Sources: official box score, scoring summary and defensive highlights. Oct. 18, 2026
New York Giants
| Player | Key numbers |
|---|---|
| Jameis Winston | 14/26 passing, 152 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| J.J. McCarthy | 11/21 passing, 243 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Malik Nabers | 12 receptions, 165 yards |
| Isaiah Likely | 6 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD |
Source: official box score. Oct. 18, 2026
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