Typically, unless you’re going to the United Kingdom for pleasure or for business pursuits, a flight from the States can mess with you physically. Try telling this to the New Orleans Saints as quarterback Drew Brees threw for three touchdowns, leading the Saints to a 37-32 win over the San Diego Chargers Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Neither team disappointed as both teams combined for a total of 860 net yards of offense, with passing being the specialty of the day. The first quarter was a snoozer of sorts as both the Chargers and Saints traded field goals; however, the offensive floodgates swung wide open. A short TD pass from Brees to wide receiver Devery Henderson and a 1-yard TD run by running back Deuce McAllister sparked the Saints to a 16-3 lead; but San Diego would respond with a pair of TD passes, one of them to tight end Antonio Gates, putting the Chargers to within 23-17, whcih would be the halftime score.
A field goal by the Chargers’ Nate Kaeding at 9:38 of the 4th quarter along with a Rivers TD pass to Vince Jackson and a safety caused when Brees fumbled the ball into the end zone would put the Chargers to within 37-32; San Diego had one last shot to win the game but a pass by Rivers to Jackson fell incomplete.
Brees led the Saints passing attack, going 30-of-41 for 339 yards with 3 TD’s while Rivers did pretty well himself, going 25-of-40 for 341 yards with 3 TD’s and an interception. McAllister led all Saints rushers with 55 yards on 18 carries and a TD while Mike Karney added a TD; LaDanian Tomlinson led San Diego with 105 yards on 19 carries while also catching 5 passes for 65 yards and a TD.
WR Lance Moore led all Saints receivers with 6 receptions for 90 yards and a TD while TE Billy Miller caught 7 balls for 82 yards; Devery Henderson and Mark Campbell also caught a TD pass each. Gates led the San Diego receivers with 6 receptions for 96 yards and a TD while Jackson added 60 yards and a TD. The win puts New Orleans at 4-4 going into their bye week while San Diego drops to 3-5 as they have a bye week, as well.