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Brees leads Saints over Chargers in London
2008-10-26
WEMBLEY, England - A trans-Atlantic trip was just what Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints needed to get their season back on track. Brees went 30-for-41 for 339 yards and three touchdown passes against his former team to lead the Saints to a 37-32 win over San Diego on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, putting New Orleans back at .500 and dropping the Chargers to 3-5. The Saints (4-4) held off a late comeback by the Chargers, who came from 37-20 down early in the fourth quarter and were driving for the tying touchdown when linebacker Jonathan Vilma picked off a pass by Philip Rivers with just over a minute to go. Brees took a safety in the final seconds to complete the scoring. After last year's rain-soaked, error-filled 13-10 win by the New York Giants over the Miami Dolphins in London, the NFL was hoping for a high-scoring, offensive show in its return to the British capital. And that's just what the 83,226 fans at England's showcase venue got. The game turned into a shootout between Brees and Rivers, his former backup in San Diego, as both teams had more than 400 yards of offense. Brees, who played his first five seasons for the Chargers before signing as a free agent with New Orleans before the 2006 season, faced his former teammates for the first time. Brees, who came into the game leading the NFL with 2,224 yards passing, exploited the Chargers' vulnerable pass defense. But Rivers came up with big numbers too, completing 25 of 40 attempts for 343 yards and three touchdowns to bring his season total to 19 TDs. But while Brees went without an interception, Rivers' one pick on the final drive proved crucial. The Chargers also got a big game from LaDainian Tomlinson, who shrugged off a recent toe injury to rush for 105 yards on 19 carries and catch a touchdown pass. It was only his second 100-yard effort in 12 games, and the 47th of his career. New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister, starting in place of the injured Reggie Bush and playing in the shadow of a reported recent positive drug test, ran for 55 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Chargers hurt themselves with penalties, getting flagged 14 times for 134 yards. They also had a touchdown called back by a penalty and what looked like a sure 73-yard touchdown pass went through the hands of Vincent Jackson on their opening drive of the half. The Saints were the "home" team and the London crowd responded by giving them loud support and waving black New Orleans pennants. The Saints had lost all three of their games away from the SuperDome. After last year's muddy mess, there were fears that London's notorious wet weather could ruin things again. There was a steady rain Sunday morning and early afternoon, but the showers ended by game time. The field was slippery and torn up in places, but not enough to stop these two high-powered offenses. After the teams traded field goals in the first quarter, they scored 34 points in the second quarter. Brees threw TD passes to Devery Henderson (12 yards) and Lance Moore (30 yards), while Rivers responded with 12-yard scoring throws to Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. McAllister had a 1-yard TD run as the Saints led 23-17 at the half. The Saints went up 30-17 in the third quarter on Brees' 1-yard pass to Mark Campbell. Rivers had a 5-yard TD pass to Brandon Manumaleuna negated when guard Kris Dielman was flagged for holding. The Chargers settled for a 24-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding, making it 30-20. Mike Carney went over from 1 yard to make it 37-20 for the Chargers. After a 31-yard field goal by Kaeding, the Chargers recovered an onside kick and Rivers threw a 14-yard TD pass to Jackson with 7:29 to play to get within a touchdown. On the next drive, Brees appeared to be intercepted by Eric Wedge, who stepped in front of Billy Miller. After a review, however, it was ruled that Wedge did not have control of the ball when he hit the ground. The Chargers still got the ball back with a chance to tie, but Vilman's interception all but clinched it for the Saints. Brees threw the ball through the back of his end zone for a safety rather than risk an interception or a sack. The Chargers had one last chance but Rivers' desperation throw was batted down at the goal line as time expired.
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