The Saints scored on their first possession of the second half on a 17-yard pass from Shaw to Chris Olave. Charlie Smith, 24, of Mayobridge, Northern Ireland, kicked a 56-yard field goal with 6:09 left to make the score 19–11. This was his first attempt at an NFL game. Smith, an international pathway player, replaced Blake Gruppe, who was fired earlier in the week after missing several kicks this season.
Shaw was 26 of 37 for 240 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. Vale had eight catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Rookie running back Devin Neal had 14 carries for 47 yards.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had two sacks in the first half, giving him 6.5 for the season and 128 points for his career, tied for 17th in NFL history with Rickey Jackson. This is the 30th multi-sack game of Jordan’s career. Defensive tackle Brian Bracey had a sack in the third quarter and defensive end Chase Young had a sack in the fourth quarter.
Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry intercepted Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter. McKinstry also made a big fourth-down tackle, giving the Saints’ offense one last chance with three minutes to play, resulting in a touchdown pass to Vale and a dramatic finish.
Saints safety Justin Reed left the game during the first series with a knee injury and did not return.
New Orleans will play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) on Sunday, December 7.
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