NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Tre’Quan Smith #10 of the New Orleans Saints spikes the ball after scoring a touhdown against the Houston Texans during a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans might have authored the game of the year, and it’s only Week 1. Phenomenal ending.
The Saints were leading the Texans 27-21 with 50 seconds left. The final score? 30-28, New Orleans. What? Let’s go blow by blow.
Houston took the ball at its own 25-yard line and drove for a touchdown on two plays. First, a 38-yard strike on a corner route to DeAndre Hopkins. Then, Deshaun Watson delivered on a seam route to Kenny Stills, hitting him for a 37-yard scoring laser.
Tied 27-27, Ka’i Fairbairn lined up for the extra point. He missed, but after following through, was running into by Saints corner Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. On the next attempt, Fairbairn was good. Houston, 28-27.
With 37 seconds remaining, Drew Brees took the Saints to the Houston 40-yard line, setting up Will Lutz for a 58-yard field goal attempt. A yard further than his previous career-long, Lutz drilled the kick between the uprights, sending the Super Bowl into bedlam.
The ridiculous ending comes in a game where Watson fought through a nagging back injury and six sacks. Both he and Brees were fantastic throughout the evening, each overcoming an interception to combine for 575 yards with five touchdown throws and one running.
The Saints now move into Week 2 getting ready to head west for the date with the Los Angeles Rams. It’s a rematch of the controversial NFC Championship Game, albeit at the L.A. Coliseum. Houston will go to NRG Stadium for its home opener, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars.