Drew Brees, offense fails Saints for second straight week in loss to Bucs (1 Viewer)

[Andrus]

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TAMPA -- The New Orleans Saints knew it was a long shot. Down two games in the NFC South with four to play, the Saints needed a lot of things to their way in order for them to make the playoffs. First and foremost, New Orleans entered Sunday's game losers of three of their last four games. They couldn’t afford another setback, not at the hands of a division rival.

But while the Saints' playoff chances may not be officially over, following a 16-11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their chances are on life support. The Saints (5-8) are three games down in the division with three to go. The long shot just got a bit longer.

If the Saints fail to make the playoffs this season, they will look at the missed opportunities they had. The game Sunday was a microcosm of the season. When the Saints defense held, it got a penalty. When the offense started moving the ball, they turned it over or had to settle for a field goal.

To the Saints' credit, their defense played strong against the Bucs, holding them to three field goals and recording a safety. That kind of effort would have been all the Saints’ offense would have needed on normal days the way it has been able to churn out yards this season.

By Rick Brown

Full Story - ESPN.com

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