Recap

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints did their part in Atlanta – thrashing the Falcons 30-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 9.

But when the Los Angeles Rams blew a 17-point lead and lost to the San Francisco 49ers 27-24 in overtime, it kept the Saints out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

"Obviously, the other game didn't go the way we wanted," Coach Sean Payton said. "I'm proud of this group. Fought hard all season."
The Saints end the 2021 season with a 9-8 record and winners of four of their final five games. Sunday's game was another example of what the team had to fight through all season – losing a star player to injury.

Starting quarterback Taysom Hill was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a left foot injury and Trevor Siemian replaced him. Siemian started strong by throwing two touchdown passes in the second quarter and then was off and on in the second half but did enough to lead the Saints to victory. The Saints started four players at quarterback in 2021, a necessity after starter Jameis Winston suffered a torn ACL in a home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also played the entire season without star receiver Michael Thomas and kicker Wil Lutz.

Full Story - New Orleans Saints.com

By Mike Triplett | ESPN Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- It was just one touchdown.

A 21-yard run early in the second quarter by Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, who broke too easily through the middle of the New Orleans Saints' defense before making backup safety Jeff Heath whiff in the open field.

But that one touchdown was absolutely unacceptable for a Saints defense that has become the team’s lifeline in December.

“That touchdown P'Oed us off, put it like that,” said safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who wound up sealing the Saints' 18-10 victory with an interception in the final minute.

The Saints responded by not allowing the Panthers another point and just 46 more yards over the final 43 minutes of Sunday’s win.

They sacked quarterback Sam Darnold seven times, forced two turnovers and kept the team's playoff hopes alive at 8-8 heading into the last week of the season. To earn the NFC's No. 7 seed, the Saints need to win at the Atlanta Falcons and have the Los Angeles Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers.

Full Story - ESPN.com

By John DeShazier | Senior Writer - NewOrleansSaints.com

There isn't much that the New Orleans Saints haven't asked defensive back P.J. Williams to do on defense this season. Eagerly, and effectively, he has obliged, and that again was the case on Sunday in an 18-10 victory over Carolina in the Caesars Superdome.

Williams had three quarterback hits and a sack this season entering Sunday's game. Against the Panthers, he added to those totals – and more – on a play that didn't help produce a lead-taking score for the Saints, but highlighted the force with which New Orleans would play on defense against Carolina.

With the Panthers leading 10-3 in the second quarter, they began a drive at their 20-yard line after forcing a three-and-out from New Orleans on the Saints' preceding possession. Carolina gained just one yard on two plays – a Chuba Hubbard run and an incomplete pass – before facing third-and-9 with 10:14 left in the quarter.

Full Story - NewOrleansSaints.com

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AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

The third victory in four games for the Saints (8-8)

AP/Fox Sports

Alvin Kamara turned a short pass into New Orleans' first touchdown in more than 11 quarters, Brett Maher kicked four field goals, and the Saints beat the reeling Carolina Panthers 18-10 on Sunday.

The third victory in four games for the Saints (8-8) — just their second triumph in the Superdome in their regular-season home finale — assured New Orleans would head into the final week of the regular season still in the hunt for an NFC wild-card spot.

Taysom Hill completed 17 of 28 passes for 222 yards and also led the Saints in rushing with 45 yards while playing behind an offensive line missing four season-opening starters. Marquez Callaway caught six passes for 97 yards and Kamara had five catches for 68 yards, including his 12-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

New Orleans' defense did the rest, sacking Sam Darnold seven times. Cameron Jordan had 3 1/2 sacks, his third straight game with at least two. C.J. Gardner Johnson sealed it with an interception in the final minute, dooming the Panthers (5-11) to a sixth straight loss. ...

Full Story - Fox Sports