With a heat index over 100 degrees and wearing their black uniforms, the fatigue showed as the Saints were unable to hold onto a 9-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The Redskins had more rushing and receiving yards, a greater time of possession, and an interception but still trailed until the last six minutes of the game when they were able to score two touchdowns, an interception, and make a crucial fourth-down conversion to eliminate the Saints’ chances to pull out a victory.
The Saints struggled early in the first half with two turnovers in the first quarter alone: a fumble by Jeremy Shockey at Washington’s 28 yard line as the Saints were driving down on their first possession and an interception on the Saints’ 27 yard line on their second opportunity. Both plays were made by Washington S Chris Horton.
Their third possession early in the second quarter gave New Orleans their first lead of the game. After a sack and the offense unable to get a first down, the Saints punted the ball 52 yards to Washington’s 24. Antwaan Randle-El fumbled the ball during the return which was recovered by LB Troy Evans to set up the team’s first scoring drive: a one-yard touchdown run by RB Pierre Thomas with about eight and a half minutes to play in the first half.
