Raiders' first possession - Saints D bends a little but forces punt Saints' first possession - Brees, Ingram and PT lead the way as Saints go through Raiders like crap through a goose. Brees to Graham to extend the consecutive game streak to 53.
Teams exchange 3 and outs. Saints have been screwed twice by refs; the second on a ruling of interference with a fair catch. On the play, the return man did not call for a fair catch and the replay showed no contact, though it was close (no halo rule anymore, so close doesn't matter). Even more; the return man attempted to return the ball after making the catch, which should draw a delay of game call if there had been a fair catch. No call.
ANOTHER goal line stand!! That's 4 weeks in a row. (Ok, so the Raider TE should have made the catch. So what, he didn't) Who Dat!!
And another goal line stand!...though the Raiders had their shot. First and goal on the one, they go no gain on first down (Akeem Hicks engulfs ballcarrier), offensive interference on 2nd, then complete a pass back to the 7. On third, Raider receiver lets a ball through his hands in the end zone, and Harper picks it off on the tip drill.
Earlier this year, we found it remarkable that both of our safeties intercepted a pass in the same season. They've each got a pick in the same game today!
They've had one the last 4 weeks. It's no coincidence anymore. They give up a ton a yards, but when you're inside the 5, they believe they're going to stop you and they usually do.
Great stat, and its a super quality for your defense to have, but not one to hang your hat on. They've got to learn to get more 3 and outs, rather than save it all for when their backs are to the goal.
