East Rutherford, N.J. – The New Orleans Saints needed about 59 minutes and 49 seconds of a 60-minute game in order to secure it, but were able to pull out a 14-11 victory over the Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
It was a gritty performance, and here were some of the grittier performers:
OFFENSE: Running back Kendre Miller didn’t play a ton of offensive snaps in his first game back off injured reserve, but the second-year pro made the most of them. He had 32 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries – including an 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that was all brute strength and teammate-powered (he bulled in the last five yards as offensive linemen pushed from behind). Miller also returned a kickoff 31 yards but, on this day, it was the change of pace he provided for a running game that needed the pop. His usage rate may increase in the coming weeks. Honorable mention to Alvin Kamara, who entered the game needing 39 yards to set his single-season career high in rushing yards, and gained 44 the hard way. He now has 938 rushing yards this season.
DEFENSE: Bryan Bresee is blossoming into a star right before our eyes. Sure, he still can be better in run defense but he’s got the quarterback pressure thing down pat. He had a sack (now a team-leading 7.5 for the season), a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and two passes defensed against the Giants and it actually seemed like more. Bresee has lived up to his first-round draft status from last year, and he’s only going to get better.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Not sure if we’ve ever had a guy double up, but Bresee takes the honor for special teams, too. He blocked Graham Gano’s 35-yard field-goal attempt with 11 seconds left to preserve the lead and guarantee victory. Bresee said he didn’t jump, that he just extended his hand; whatever he did, it allowed the Saints to win their third game in four attempts under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.