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8 defining plays of the first half of the 2014 regular season
New Orleans Saints senior writer John DeShazier picks his eight defining plays of the first half of the 2014 regular season (Associated Press photos)
Saints receiver Marques Colston fumbled in overtime, after a 13-yard reception on second-and-10 from the Saints' 20-yard line. Result: Falcons recovered at the Saints' 38-yard line and three plays later, Matt Bryant kicked the game-winning, 52-yard field goal.
Browns QB Brian Hoyer's 28-yard completion to receiver Andrew Hawkins on second-and-10 from the Saints' 39-yard line, with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Result: Billy Cundiff kicked a 29-yard, game-winning field goal on the next play.
Not play, plays. The Saints took over possession at their own 16 with 6:58 left, and never gave the ball back to Minnesota. Result: New Orleans won its first game of the season, 20-9.
Saints punter Thomas Morstead is sacked for a 2-yard loss after a fake punt on fourth-and-9 from the Saints' 41-yard line with 7:45 left. Result: The Saints were trailing 31-17 and fell 38-17 after Dallas scored following the fake punt
Saints running back Khiry Robinson runs 18 yards on second-and-8 from the Tampa Bay 18-yard line in overtime. Result: The Saints won 37-31, and Robinson had a career high in carries (21) and rushing yards (89)
Detroit's Golden Tate caught a 73-yard touchdown pass, on third-and-14 from Detroit's 27-yard line, in the fourth quarter to help the Lions shift momentum. Result: Tate's touchdown pulled the Lions to within 23-17, and they scored the game-winning touchdown after a Drew Brees interception. But Tate's play changed the momentum.
New Orleans rookie receiver Brandin Cooks catches a 50-yard touchdown pass from Brees on second-and-1 from the 50 in the third quarter. Result: The Saints took their first lead (23-16) and never looked back in their 44-23 victory.
Outside linebacker Junior Galette kept tracking Carolina quarterback Cam Newton even as Newton scrambled away from Galette's pursuit from the right, and he was rewarded when he sacked Newton and caused a fumble that teammate Curtis Lofton recovered at the Panthers 4-yard line with 3:20 left in the second quarter. Result: After the fumble recovery, Mark Ingram ran twice, scored from three yards out and gave the Saints a 7-0 lead en route to a 28-10 victory.
