The New Orleans Saints (0-2) come to the midpoint of
their four-game preseason slate, hosting the Houston Texans
(1-1) on Sunday, in a contest that will be viewed by a
nationally televised audience. The Saints are coming off of
a last-second 26-24 loss to the New England Patriots on
Saturday night at home, while Houston fell to Denver, 14-
10. Sunday's contest will mark the end of training camp, as
New Orleans will then prepare for their preseason finale at
the Green Bay Packers and the regular season opener at
the Arizona Cardinals.
New Orleans and Houston have met seven times in the
preseason, with the Saints holding a 4-3. In the regular
season, they have won two of the last three meetings and
will travel to NRG Stadium to play Houston on Nov. 29.
New Orleans looks to rebound from Thursday's loss at
Baltimore, while New England fell to the Green Bay Packers
at home on Thursday.
Despite Saturday's loss, New Orleans had a strong
showing in the first half, marching out to a 21-0 lead. Overall,
New Orleans outgained New England 428-364 in total
net yardage.
QB Drew Brees was in midseason form in one quarter
of work in his first game action of the preseason against
the defending Super Bowl champions, completing eight-of-
10 passes for 159 yards, two touchdown passes and a
perfect 158.3 passer rating. Second-year WR Brandin
Cooks caught four passes 117 yards, including a 45-
yard touchdown from Brees. He also added one rush on
the evening to finish with a game-high 124 total yards from
scrimmage. RBs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson contributed
in both the running and passing games. Ingram
rushed for 18 yards and also caught three passes for 45
yards. Robinson rushed for 15 yards and also caught two
passes for 28 yards.
Overall Saints signal callers completed 67.5% of their
passes altogether on the evening for 373 yards, three
touchdowns and 0 interceptions and posted a cumulative
127.4 passer rating. Luke McCown completed four-of-six
throws for 49 yards with a six-yard scoring pass to TE Josh
Hill and a 131.2 passer rating. Ryan Griffin executed
on six-of-eight throws for 85 yards in the third quarter with
a 108.9 passer rating. Rookie Garrett Grayson played in
the fourth quarter and completed seven-of-13 throws for
80 yards.
The defense also put together an impressive showing.
Surrendering only 152 total net yards in the first half, including
surrendering only 26 on the ground on 17 carries.
With New England QB Tom Brady playing the first three
series' of the contest, the New Orleans defense forced him
and the New England offense into three-and-outs in these
three possessions.
LBs Henry Coley and Jerry Franklin tied for the team
lead with six tackles apiece. LB Hau'oli Kikaha, the club's
second round draft pick, posted five stops, including two
for a loss
In the secondary, S Pierre Warren, who continues to
fight for a roster spot, showed the same nose for the ball
that allowed him to tie for the team lead in 2014 with six
takeaways despite playing in only six games. Warren
picked off Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter
and returned the pick 33 yards to set up a 21-yard field
goal by K Dustin Hopkins. Competing with Zach Hocker for
placekicking duties, Hopkins, a former Florida State standout,
drilled two of three field goal attempts.
The New Orleans Saints (0-2) come to the midpoint of their four-game preseason slate, hosting the Houston Texans (1-1) at 3 p.m. Sunday, in a contest that will be viewed by a nationally televised audience. The Saints are coming off of a last-second 26-24 loss to the New England Patriots on Saturday night at home, while Houston fell to Denver, 14-10.
Sunday's contest will mark the end of training camp, as New Orleans will then prepare for their preseason finale at the Green Bay Packers and the regular season opener at the Arizona Cardinals.
New Orleans and Houston have met seven times in the preseason, with the Saints holding a 4-3 series lead. In the regular season, they have won two of the last three meetings and will travel to NRG Stadium to play Houston on Nov. 29.
Despite Saturday's loss, New Orleans had a strong showing in the first half, marching out to a 21-0 lead. Overall, New Orleans outgained New England 428-364 in total net yardage.
Quarterback Drew Brees was in midseason form in one quarter of work in his first game action of the preseason against the defending Super Bowl champions, completing 8 of 10 passes for 159 yards, two touchdown passes and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Second-year receiver Brandin Cooks caught four passes for 117 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown from Brees. He also added one rush on the evening to finish with a game-high 124 total yards from scrimmage. Running backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson contributed in both the running and passing games. Ingram rushed for 18 yards and also caught three passes for 45 yards. Robinson rushed for 15 yards and also caught two passes for 28 yards.
Saints signal callers completed 67.5 percent of their passes on the evening for 373 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions and posted a cumulative 127.4 passer rating. Luke McCown completed 4 of 6 throws for 49 yards with a 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Josh Hill and a 131.2 passer rating. Ryan Griffin executed on 6 of 8 throws for 85 yards in the third quarter with a 108.9 passer rating. Rookie Garrett Grayson played in the fourth quarter and completed 7 of 13 throws for 80 yards.
The defense also put together an impressive showing, surrendering only 152 total net yards in the first half, including 26 on the ground on 17 carries.
With New England quarterback Tom Brady playing the first three series' of the contest, the New Orleans defense forced him and the New England offense into three-and-outs in these three possessions.
Linebackers Henry Coley and Jerry Franklin tied for the team lead with six tackles apiece. Linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha, the club's second round draft pick, posted five stops, including two for a loss In the secondary, Safety Pierre Warren, who continues to fight for a roster spot, showed the same nose for the ball that allowed him to tie for the team lead in 2014 with six takeaways despite playing in only six games. Warren picked off Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter and returned the pick 33 yards to set up a 21-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins. Competing with Zach Hocker for icking duties, Hopkins, a former Florida State standout, drilled two of three field-goal attempts.
