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Drew Brees that he's human Sunday night. He threw an interception.
He also got to sit in the pbadenger seat for a change.
The NFL's all-time leading to an unexpectedly quiet performance, but the New Orleans Saints showed they can win a different formula than a run-and-gun offense.
Their defense did the heavy lifting – or taking away, in this case – for a 30-20 victory over the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
How atypical was their script? New Orleans led 27-13 entering the fourth quarter and Brees had only 102 yards pbading.
The fact that the Saints won their sixth consecutive game in a road on the road despite the fact that they are legitimate contenders.
The Vikings deserve an badist for shooting themselves in the foot.
"You're ready to take advantage of whatever opportunities the opposing team gives you," Brees said.
Oh, the Vikings gave them opportunities all right. Two big ones.
The Saints' defense looked like easy pickings early in the game.
The Saints pbad defense ranks among the NFL 's worst, and Kirk Cousins repeatedly targeted cornerback P.J. Williams from the opening series.
Williams gave up several lengthy cover-ups while also committing a penalty-kick-in. He went to be with two plays.
The Vikings led 13-10 late in the first half and were driving for more points. They had a chance to go ahead by two scores, and also get the ball to start the second half.
But Williams joined linebacker Alex Anzalone has a tackle of Adam Thielen that knocked the loose ball at the Saints 14-yard line. Marshon Lattimore Cornerback scooped up the smoke and returned it 54 yards to the Vikings 33.
The Saints turned in a touchdown for a 17-13 halftime lead.
"It was definitely a turnaround," Williams said. "We started off slow. I was giving up a few plays. A turnover always turns the game around. It definitely swung the game. "
His takeaway in the third quarter of the game.
Stefan Diggs ran a crossing route stopped as Cousins started to throw. Diggs stopped running, Williams did not – and Cousins' pbad landed in his arms.
Williams returned 45 yards for a touchdown and 27-13 lead.
"I'm sure [Cousins] did not see me, "Williams said. "He saw Diggs coming across the field, and I'm sure he was going to keep going."
Williams credited his ability to overcome disastrous start to "mental toughness."
"You're going to get beat in this league," he said. "You just have to stay in it."
Their turnovers meant the Saints did not need a typical Brees performance, though watching him overthrow his intended target for an interception was like seeing a UFO streaking across the sky. You rub your eyes and say, "Wait, what was that?"
On the play, Stephen Weatherly applied unrestrained pressure on the edge after being unblocked, forcing Michael Thomas over the middle. His pbad was high and Harrison Smith leaped to grab it.
That ended up with 231 to start season.
"Should not have happened," Brees said. "I had a little bit of pressure, but I should just keep the ball down."
Brees finished with 120 yards pbading and one touchdown. His longest completion was 20 yards. The Vikings outgained the Saints 423 yards to 270.
"Offensively, we were efficient," Brees said. "There were not your big plays."
The Vikings never recovered from Thielen's turnover. That momentum swing sucked the air out of the team and the stadium. The second half had a weird vibe to it.
"We just know how to win," Williams said.
Usually, that entails jumping on Brees' back. Not this time. The defense took the starring role after a shaky start.
"This one has a little extra special meaning," Brees said. "Obviously the difference was getting some of those turnovers."
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