Final Score: Saints 31, Titans 17
Drew Brees sat out his second straight game to begin the preseason schedule, but the New Orleans Saints’ offense was still clicking Friday night.
Jimmy Graham caught two touchdown passes and Mark Ingraham added one, leading the Saints to a 31-17 win over the Tennessee Titans and improving New Orleans’ preseason record to 2-0.
Here’s how it went down:
Jimmy Graham Caught 2 First-Half Touchdown Passes
With Luke McCown under center for the second straight start, New Orleans went on a 16-play, 80-yard opening drive that culminated with a 6-yard touchdown pass from McCown to Jimmy Graham with 8:30 left in the first quarter.
McCown and Graham hooked up again on a 19-yard strike with 4:25 left in the first half that put New Orleans ahead 14-10.
Jimmy Graham scores again. Jimmy Graham dunks again. Jimmy Graham is flagged again. #TENvsNO
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 16, 2014
Justin Hunter Caught TD Passes from 2 QBs
Jake Locker connected with Justin Hunter on a 4-yard touchdown strike with 5:02 left in the first quarter to even the score.
Travis Coons then kicked a 50-yard field goal with 10:20 left in the first half to put the Titans on top 10-7.
Good! Travis Coons boots a 50-yard field goal, and the #Titans have a 10-7 lead with 10:20 to play in the 2nd quarter! #TENvsNO
— Tennessee Titans (@TennesseeTitans) August 16, 2014
After Graham’s second touchdown put New Orleans up 14-10, Hunter struck again, this time on a 64-yard pass from backup Zach Mettenberger that put Tennessee on top 17-14 with 2:34 left in the half.
TOUCHDOWN TITANS! Rookie QB Zach Mettenberger to Justin Hunter for 64 yards and the score. TEN 17 NO 14 – 2Q #TENvsNO
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 16, 2014
The lead, though, like Tennessee’s previous lead, was short-lived.
Ryan Griffin hit Mark Ingraham for a 23-yard touchdown on New Orleans’ ensuing possession that gave the hosts a 21-17 lead with 1:18 left in the half.
TOUCHDOWN! Griffin connects with Ingram for a 23-yd TD! #TENvsNO
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 16, 2014
Shayne Graham added a 34-yard field goal with 11:42 left in the game to extend New Orleans’ lead to 24-17.
The Saints put in the dagger when Griffin hit Seantavius Jones from 3 yards out with 8:49 left in the game, stretching the lead to 31-17.