The New Orleans Saints snapped their five-game losing streak with a 30-9 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Alvin Kamara made a big impact in his first game after missing four straight, picking up 120 yards rushing with a touchdown. It was the fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Kamara had 145 totals yards, marking the 34th game where he’s amassed more than 100 yards from scrimmage, second-most in franchise history. He trails only Deuce McAllister, who had 37 in his career.
Taysom Hill was a solid, if unspectacular, through the air, going 15-of-21 for 175 yards. Hill didn’t throw a touchdown or an interception in his second start of the season. However, he was spectacular as a runner, going for 73 yards and tying his career high with a pair of rushing TDs.
Kicker Brett Maher was a perfect 3/3 on his field goal attempts.
Defensively, New Orleans took advantage of an inept Jets offense, holding New York to 256 total yards. The 9 points allowed was the Saints’ lowest since Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers.
The secondary was able to blanket Jets receivers, and the front harassed rookie Zach Wilson into a 19-for-42 afternoon for 202 yards.
The Saints opened the game by forcing a three-and-out and then going on a 14-play, 65 yard drive that ended with a Maher FG.
Scoring first has been huge for the Saints over the last two seasons, as they improved to 10-1 when doing so.
New Orleans would punt on each of its next three possessions, allowing a New York field goal along the way that tied the game at three.
Kamara broke free on that fifth drive, accounting for 48 of the Saints’ 54 yards on a six play scoring drive that he finished off with a 16-yard run over the right side of the offensive line, and put New Orleans up 10-3.
Eddy Pineiro’s 46 yard kick before the half made it 10-6.
The Saints defense held New York scoreless in third quarter, forcing the Jets into punts on both of their possessions on just 10 plays.
Maher put a pair of kicks through the uprights to give New Orleans a two-score lead early in the fourth.
After taking over on downs, the Saints put the bow on the package with a 51-yard scoring drive capped by a two yard touchdown run by Hill that made the score 23-6.
Taysom added an exclamation point with a 44-yard dash down the left sideline for the final score of the game.
With the win, the Saints improve to 6-7 on the season, and maintain their playoff hopes.
Next week they head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers, whom they defeated 36-27 back on Halloween, before closing with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons.
If the Saints can get healthy they still have a legitimate chance to extend their playoff streak to five seasons.
Considering all that they’ve been through, that’s a remarkable feat.
