NEW ORLEANS — The Saints offense stalled on its final two possessions against Cincinnati on Sunday, allowing the Bengals to grab a late lead and hold on for a 30-26 victory over New Orleans.
Former Bengal quarterback Andy Dalton, now with the Saints, had an opportunity to make a stronger claim for the starting quarterback job in New Orleans.
But the loss now makes Dalton 1-2 as the starter and could clear the way for Jameis Winston's return to the starting role against Arizona this coming Thursday night.
With the Saints leading 26-24 with 3:41 in the game, Dalton needed to manufacture a few first downs to run out the clock. However, the Saints would go three-and-out for the first time since their opening series of the game and give the ball back to the Bengals.
After a short punt, the Bengals would need just one play to take their first lead of the game as Joe Burrow would hit Ja'Marr Chase on a curl route in front of the Saints bench. Chase would turn up field and elude two defenders, as he would hight-step his way into the end zone with 1:57 remaining in the game.
Chase led all receivers with 132 yards on 7 catches and two scores.
On their following possession, Dalton would move the Saints to the Cincinnati 41 in the final minute, but throw three incompletions and get sacked on third down.
His final pass attempt for Marquez Calloway, on fourth-and-17, was not even close.
Dalton finished the game 17 of 32 for 162 passing yards and one touchdown.
New Orleans lost despite rushing for 228 yards and getting a 44-yard scoring run from Rashid Shaheed, who was activated from the practice squad a day before the game. It was the Saints' second consecutive 200-plus-yard game on the ground, marking only the third time it happened since 1990.
Burrow completed 28 of 37 passes for 300 yards and tossed 3 touchdowns. He added a rushing score to the state sheet as well.
The Bengals will host the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Cincinnati 7 7 7 9 = 30 New Orleans 7 13 3 3 = 26
First Quarter NO — Tre'Quan Smith 18 pass from Andy Dalton (Wil Lutz kick), 10:33 CIN — Joe Mixon 9 pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), :45
Second Quarter NO — Rashid Shaheed 44 run (Wil Lutz kick), 13:39 NO — Wil Lutz 35 field goal, 10:28 CIN — Joe Burrow 19 run (Evan McPherson kick), 5:44 NO — Wil Lutz 30 field goal, :01
Third Quarter
NO — Wil Lutz 37 field goal, 7:12
CIN — Ja'Marr Chase 15 pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 3:30
Fourth Quarter
NO — Wil Lutz 31 field goal, 11:07
CIN — Evan McPherson 52 field goal, 3:42
CIN — Ja'Marr Chase 60 pass from Joe Burrow (conversion pass failed), 1:57
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