Robinson’s 99-yard pick-six propels New Orleans
Happy return
|
|
| Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) carries against Eagles outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) during Monday's game in New Orleans. (Bill Feig) |
| Buy Sauk Valley Media Photos » |
BY PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer
NEW ORLEANS – Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes, extending his NFL record streak to 51 games, and Patrick Robinson returned an interception 99 yards for a score to lead the New Orleans Saints to a much-needed win, 28-13 over Michael Vick and the reeling Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
The Saints (3-5) bounced back from a dismal 34-14 loss at Denver, also getting a 22-yard touchdown run from Chris Ivory.
Philadelphia (3-5) lost its fourth straight, which is sure to keep the heat on Vick and embattled coach Andy Reid.
Vick threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson in the third quarter, but that was about the only highlight for the visiting team which saw Vick sacked seven times.
Not that they didn’t have their chances. The Eagles had first-and-goal four times and managed only two field goals by Alex Henery.
In fact, they were outscored in those situations, with Robinson going the other way for a touchdown just when it looked like Philadelphia was on the verge of scoring.
Rubbing salt in the wound, Philadelphia squandered a chance to get back in the game with a brilliant trick play on a kickoff return. Riley Cooper laid flat in the end zone, unseen by the Saints, then popped up to take a cross-field lateral from Brandon Boykin.
Cooper streaked down the sideline for an apparent touchdown. Only one problem – Boykin’s lateral was actually a forward pass by about a yard, ruining the play with a penalty. Cooper stood with his hands on his hips, in disbelief, as the officials brought it back.
Philadelphia finished with 447 yards – the eighth straight team to put up more than 400 yards on the Saints. That was already the longest streak of 400-yard games given up by a defense since at least 1950, and maybe in the history of the NFL, putting New Orleans on pace to shatter the record for most yards allowed in a season.
But New Orleans came through where it mattered most, giving up a season low in points. Their previous best was a 31-24 victory over San Diego.
Philadelphia’s last gasp was a fourth-down pass that Vick threw away in the back of the end zone with 7 seconds left, apparently more concerned about avoiding another pick than tacking on a meaningless TD.
Brees kept his record touchdown streak going, hooking up with Marques Colston on a 1-yard scoring pass and Jimmy Graham from 6 yards out.
