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With an impressive, record-setting performance by Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Devery Henderson coupled with (finally!) a just good enough nail-biter by the defense, the Saints have finally gotten into the win column for 2012 in a thrilling 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
Brees ended the dramatic tension by setting the NFL's new consecutive games with a TD pass record at 48 on a 40-yard touchdown throw to Henderson late in the 1st quarter. Colston went 9 for 131 with 3 TDs,eclipsing Joe Horn as the Saints career touchdown reception leader (51). Add to that Henderson's 8 for 123 and a TD, and you have the first time two Saints receivers have gone over 8 receptions, 120 yards and a TD in a game. NICE.
But what's better than any records is the victory, hopefully the first of many more.
Check the stats, vote for your Saints MVP, and then get to the discussion. And be nice if you go to BFTB.
Chargers vs Saints coverage
Chargers vs Saints box score
Team Stats
| SD | NO | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 27 | 21 |
| Passing 1st downs | 18 | 19 |
| Rushing 1st downs | 6 | 1 |
| 1st downs from Penalties | 3 | 1 |
| 3rd down efficiency | 4-12 | 9-16 |
| 4th down efficiency | 0-0 | 0-1 |
| Total Plays | 65 | 69 |
| Total Yards | 427 | 404 |
| Yards per play | 6.6 | 5.9 |
| Total Drives | 11 | 12 |
| Passing | 310 | 351 |
| Comp - Att | 27-42 | 29-45 |
| Yards per pass | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks - Yards Lost | 5-44 | 3-19 |
| Rushing | 117 | 53 |
| Rushing Attempts | 18 | 21 |
| Yards per rush | 6.5 | 2.5 |
| Red Zone (Made-Att) | 2-3 | 3-4 |
| Penalties | 7-56 | 10-99 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 30:34 | 29:26 |
Top Performers
| NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| D. Brees | 29 | 45 | 370 | 4 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| P. Thomas | 9 | 30 | 3.3 | 0 |
| M. Ingram | 5 | 16 | 3.2 | 0 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| M. Colston | 9 | 131 | 14.6 | 3 |
| D. Henderson | 8 | 123 | 15.4 | 1 |
| SAN DIEGO CHARGERS | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| P. Rivers | 27 | 42 | 354 | 2 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| R. Mathews | 12 | 80 | 6.7 | 1 |
| R. Brown | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| M. Floyd | 5 | 108 | 21.6 | 0 |
| R. Meachem | 3 | 67 | 22.3 | 2 |