Sean Payton falls, New Orleans Saints stumble against Buccaneers

In an uncharacteristic move by Brees he threw a costly interception in the endzone after he forced a pass to a covered Jimmy Graham.

The interception was the 4th turnover of the day by the Saints, and it sealed the victory for the Buccaneers.

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and the rest of the Saint’s defense had no answer to the hard running style of Tampa running back Ernest Graham, who was filling in for an injured LeGarrette Blount.

Graham finished the game with 109 yards on 17 carries as he pounded Saints defenders all afternoon.

For the Saints the lack of a running game and costly turnovers were ultimately the story of why they lost.

Mark Ingram led the Saint’s ground game, finishing with a meager 22 yards on 9 carries.  Darren Sproles was held in check much of the day gaining 46 yards on 8 receptions and adding another 16 yards on his only carry of the game.

Brees put up big numbers passing once again, becoming the first quarterback in Saints history to pass for over 350 yards in 4 consecutive games – but it was to little to late for the Saints who now find themselves a half game back in the NFC South race.

He ended the day 29 of 45 with 383 yards and a score.

Tight-end Jimmy finished with 124 yards on 7 receptions, slightly better than receiver Marques Colston, who had 118 in the same number of receptions.

New Orleans will return home to face the Indianapolis Colts next week.