New Orleans defensive lineman Bryan Bresee got a paw on Graham Gano's last-second field goal try, blocking the boot to avoid overtime, clinch the win and keep the Saints' minuscule postseason dreams alive in a 14-11 road win over the New York Giants.
"I really didn't think I got enough of it at first," Bresee said, via The Associated Press. "I looked back and saw that it missed. I was super excited."
The big block sent the Saints home winners in an ugly, offensively-challenged game. It marked the third win in four weeks since interim coach Darren Rizzi took over for the fired Dennis Allen.
"It keeps us in the mix," Rizzi said. "We're down to the end of the year. It's the middle of December and when you are playing games that matter, that still count and have a chance to affect the final outcome, that's a big deal."
At 5-8, the Saints sit two games back in the NFC South, behind the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 6-7 Atlanta Falcons. Next Gen Stats puts New Orleans' playoff probability at 1% with games against Washington, Green Bay, Las Vegas and Tampa on tap.
If the Saints are to keep that 1% hope alive, they'll likely have to do so without quarterback Derek Carr. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Carr is feared to have suffered a fracture in his left, non-throwing hand. He was also checked for a concussion after the win. Rizzi provided no further updates after the game. Carr was injured diving for a first down with under four minutes remaining.
"He's just trying to win and in a game like that, a first down or two and you put them away," said Saints tight end Juwan Johnson, who caught an 11-yard TD in the third quarter. "He tried to do it for us."
With the help of Bresee's big mitt, Carr's effort didn't go in vain.
