Saints Start Slowly, Then Race Past Titans, 38-28
The New Orleans Saints spotted Tennessee a 14-0 lead, but roared back scoring 24 unanswered points en route to a 38-28 win over the Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville Sunday afternoon.
Michael Thomas set a new NFL single season reception record, hauling in 12 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, breaking the old record of 142 set by Marvin Harrison of the Colts in 2002.
Drew Brees threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, and Alvin Kamara rushed for two scores, his first touchdowns since week three.
Ryan Tannehill threw to Jonnu Smith 41 yards for a touchdown and A. J. Brown scored from 49 yards out on a reverse as the Titans jumped out to the 14-0 lead.
But the Saints' offense got untracked in the second quarter as Wil Lutz connected on a 47 yard field goal and Brees found Jared Cook, who broke a tackle and raced 68 yards to make the score 14-10 at the half.
Kamara found the end zone on runs of 40 and one yard to give New Orleans a 24-14 lead midway through the third quarter. Tannehill found Tajae Sharpe on a 36 yard strike to get the Titans within three, But Brees connected with Cook again, this time from 16 yards out with just over a minute to go in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Tannehill and Sharpe hooked up again on a seven yard touchdown pass and the Titans then got good field position after the Saints failed on a fake punt, but the Saints forced a fumble and returned it to the Titans' 25, setting up a two yard touchdown pass from Brees to Thomas to put the game away.
The Saints (12-3) remain in the hunt for the #1 seed for the NFC Playoffs. Tennessee (8-7) still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs despite the loss.