Saints vs Chargers Week 4: Highlights, score and recap

The New Orleans Saints will head to San Diego on Sunday, as they look for their first win of the season against the Chargers.

The San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints did battle at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday, as Drew Brees made his return to the city that drafted him. Brees was a second round selection of the Chargers back in 2001, and had never made a start in San Diego as a visiting quarterback. That changed on Sunday, as the 0-3 Saints made the tip west to take on the Chargers.

New Orleans got the scoring started early, as running back Mark Ingram scored from one yard out to give the Saints a 6-0 lead. The Chargers would answer before the first quarter finished, as Philip Rivers hit Hunter Henry from 20 yards out to tie the score at 7-7. Rivers took over for Brees as the starting quarterback in San Diego after the team let him walk in free agency back in 2005.

After a John Kuhn touchdown reception gave the Saints a 14-7 lead with 9:20 left in the second quarter, it was all San Diego for the rest of the first half. Rivers hit Dontrelle Inman for 57 yards to tie the game at 14-14, as the Chargers reeled off 17 straight to end the first half. Josh Lambo drilled a 30-yard field goal to give the Bolts a 17-14, before Melvin Gordon scored from one yard out to give San Diego a 24-14 half time lead.

Kuhn found the end zone once again to start the second half, bringing the Saints to within three points at 24-21. However, with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter, Gordon scored again from one yard out, extending the Chargers lead to ten points. Another Lambo field goal gave the Bolts a 34-21 lead with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter, but this game was slated as a shootout, and it went down to the wire.

Brees connected with Michael Thomas for a five-yard touchdown with under five minutes left in the game, cutting the San Diego lead to one score. On the ensuing drive, Travis Benjamin fumbled the ball, giving the Saints possession with 4:50 left in the game. That would be the end of the Chargers lead, as Kuhn found the end zone for the third time to give the Saints a 35-34 lead.

On the final San Diego possession, River threw an interception, icing the victory for the Saints. It was the Chargers third turnover of the fourth quarter, which is a death nail for any team. The Chargers fell to 1-3 on the season, as the Saints picked up their first victory of the year.

Highlights

Three Stars Prediction

1. New Orleans Defense

The Saints defense allowed 34 points in the game, but it was their play when the game mattered that warrants the first star on Sunday. The Saints forced three San Diego turnovers in the final quarter, leading the team to an improbable victory against the Chargers. On a day when neither defense looked great, the Saints made the plays necessary to come away with the win.

The San Diego offense is very potent, and despite a bunch of injuries, continues to be one of the best in the AFC. However, they are turnover prone, and New Orleans made the plays when it counted on Sunday. It appeared a Chargers victory was inevitable, until the Saints defense stepped up and took the game away on the road.

2. John Kuhn

John Kuhn accounted for only 12 yards of total offense on Sunday, but he sure made them count. The bruising fullback scored three times, including the game-winner, as he once again showed how dominant he could be. He was a play-maker during his time with the Green Bay Packers, and showed he may be one for the Saints as well.

Kuhn scored twice on the ground, and once through the air, with his second rushing touchdown being the difference maker. He has always been an incredible fullback, and give the Saints a nice option in the red zone. No longer must the team count on a Brees making a clutch throw, as they now have an almost automatic option from within five yards.

3. Dontrelle Inman

The San Diego Chargers lost their best offensive weapon in Week 1, as Keenan Allen blew out his ACL. The injury was a season-ending one, and left the Bolts looking for another option at the wide receiver position. Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams have done a nice job stepping up ever since, but Sunday, it was Dontrelle Inman who stole the show.

Inman caught seven passes for 120 yards, leading the San Diego offense from the first quarter on. His 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter swung the momentum, and he continued to be a solid option for Rivers throughout. It looks as if San Diego has at least three legitimate options at the wideout position going forward.

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Odds

The odds makers have made San Diego a 3.5 point home favorite on Sunday, as the Chargers have won their only game at home this season. The over/under is set at 52.5, meaning there should be a ton of scoring in this one. These two offenses could definitely shatter that number.

Next Week

The San Diego Chargers will open their AFC West slate next Sunday, as they travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders. The New Orleans Saints will have their bye week, before hosting the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.