The Redskins blew a 15-point lead in final 3 minutes to lose to the Saints
- The Redskins gave up 15 points in the final three minutes of regulation on Sunday to set up a dramatic comeback for New Orleans.
- With stout defense and a resurgent Drew Brees, the Saints completed the comeback in overtime, securing their eighth straight win of the season.
- The embarrassing collapse from the Redskins makes their road to the playoffs all the more difficult in a crowded NFC.
The Washington Redskins had a monumental collapse on Sunday on the road against the Saints, giving up 15 points in the final three minutes of regulation before ultimately losing the game in overtime.
At one point, ESPN's win probability calculator had the Redskins with a 99.6% chance of victory, but Washington still found a way to give the game away.
After holding the Saints dynamic offense at bay all game, the Redskins looked to put the win away late in the fourth quarter, with Kirk Cousins finding Jeremy Sprinkle in the end zone to extend their lead to 31-16 with just over five minutes left in the game. But on the Saints next possession, Drew Brees turned into his old self, completing seven of seven passes and leading New Orleans 75 yards down the field for a touchdown to bring the game within one score with just three minutes left.
The Saints elected to kick the ball deep and were able to hold the Redskins to a three-and-out thanks in large part to a crucial stop on third-and-1. Brees got the ball back and ran the field again, scoring in just 48 seconds with the help of an 18-yard touchdown reception from breakout rookie running back Alvin Kamara.
Kamara added on the two-point conversion with a nifty off-tackle run, and tied the game up for the Saints 31-31 with a minute left in regulation.
When the Redskins got the ball back, the Saints defense held strong. Kirk Cousins was able to get the Washington offense into field goal range with seconds left, but was sacked on the next play and fumbled the ball all the way back to midfield.
In overtime, the Saints defense kept Cousins uncomfortable and forced yet another three-and-out, and Brees only needed three plays to set up kicker Wil Lutz for the game-winning field goal to send the Superdome crowd home happy.
With the result, the Saints maintain their lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC North, and have now won eight straight after an 0-2 start, while the Redskins fall a full two games out of the NFC Wild Card picture.