The New Orleans Saints secured a dramatic 14-11 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, thanks to rookie Bryan Bresee‘s game-saving blocked field goal in the final seconds. With 11 ticks remaining, Graham Gano‘s 33-yard attempt to force overtime was met by Bresee’s athletic leap over the line, solidifying a hard-fought win for the Saints.
The triumph came at a cost, as quarterback Derek Carr exited late in the fourth quarter with a suspected fracture in his non-throwing hand. Despite the adversity, the Saints (5-8) bolstered their slim NFC South playoff hopes while delivering another blow to the reeling Giants, who dropped their eighth straight game.
Carr, who posted a solid 20-of-31 passing performance for 219 yards, left the field after a gritty dive for a first down late in the fourth quarter. Without their leader, the Saints defense was called upon to preserve the lead as the Giants marched downfield. Drew Lock’s scrambling heroics and a key pass to Malik Nabers set New York up at the Saints’ 12-yard line with under 20 seconds remaining.
The Giants aimed for the end zone twice, only to be denied before Bresee’s pivotal play dashed their hopes. It was a moment of redemption for a Saints team that has struggled to close out games in 2023.
Offensively, the Saints leaned on timely contributions from their playmakers. Kendre Miller set the tone with a bruising 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, capping a 98-yard drive. Carr connected with tight end Juwan Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter, giving New Orleans a crucial 14-3 lead. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi, a New Jersey native, has guided the Saints to a 3-1 record, reigniting faint playoff aspirations.
Next up, the Saints return home to face Washington (8-5) in a pivotal NFC matchup. While Carr’s status remains uncertain, the team’s resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their determination to salvage the season.
