LANDOVER, Md. — The New Orleans Saints had no business winning. Two of their biggest plays were unbelievable flukes. Then they needed the other team’s kicker to miss a 23-yard field goal just to stay alive.
But the Saints are living a charmed life these days. New Orleans trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter Sunday and played more than four quarters without holding a lead — until Garrett Hartley kicked an 18-yard field goal 6:29 into the extra period for a 33-30 win.
“I don’t know about the voodoo, but I definitely believe in destiny,” said Drew Brees, who led a no-timeout, 80-yard drive in just 33 seconds to tie the game late in regulation. “I believe in karma, and what goes around comes around.”
That sure explains how the Saints are now 12-0 with the NFC South title in hand. How else to explain a badly shanked punt that turns into a 29-yard gain, or an interception by Brees that somehow becomes a touchdown for teammate Robert Meachem?
“Crazy plays,” linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. “When you’re hot, you’re hot. And sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.”
New Orleans won a sub-40 degree game for the first time since 1995.
The defense, led by former Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, offered minimal resistance, allowing Washington to pile up 455 yards and score 30 points for the first time in Jim Zorn’s 28 games as coach.
The biggest number for Washington (3-9) was three — as in the number of consecutive losses in which it has blown a fourth-quarter lead.
“I don’t think the best team won today,” Redskins center Casey Rabach said.
Leading 30-23, the Redskins marched downfield and set up the field goal that would have put the game out of reach. But Shaun Suisham pushed the attempt wide right from a mere 23 yards with 1:52 to play.
Brees went to work, moving quickly before hitting Meachem wide open over the middle for a 53-yard touchdown with 1:19 to go.
The Redskins had the ball to start the extra period, but Mike Sellers fumbled when he was upended by Chris McAlister after making a catch — a turnover that was only verified after a replay reversal — giving the Saints the ball at the Washington 37.
Brees needed only seven plays to march New Orleans to the 1 before Hartley made the game-winning kick.
