Saints Finally Make a Point

Mike Ditka was a lot happier after his New Orleans Saints finally found a team they could score against.

Doug Brien’s 44-yard field goal with 2:57 left gave the Saints, who were shut out in their previous two games and have the NFL’s worst offense, a 13-10 victory Sunday over the Oakland Raiders.

Both teams are 3-7.

Ray Zellars scored New Orleans’ first touchdown in 11 quarters with a one-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Saints had 213 total yards against a Raider defense ranked last in rushing, passing and overall defense.

Brien’s 48-yard field goal as time ran out in the first half ended a Saint scoreless streak that would have reached 10 quarters.

Harvey Williams had a one-yard scoring run and Cole Ford added a 43-yard field goal for Oakland, which did all its scoring in the second quarter.

“There’s not a real good feeling right now,” Raider Coach Joe Bugel said. “We feel bad. We feel awful. Every loss is just bitter.”

The Raiders’ final drive ended when Saint safety Sammy Knight intercepted a pass by Jeff George on fourth and eight with 1:09 remaining and returned the ball 39 yards to the Oakland 33. The Saints then ran out the clock.

Ditka, who fumed at officials and his players for most of the game, smiled with joy in the game’s final seconds.

The Saints said they were inspired by Ditka’s tirade at the officials.

“If he could put his pads on and play, he’d be right out there playing with us,” said Eric Guliford, whose 32-yard punt return set up Zellars’ touchdown. “Any time you see a coach get into it like that, it’s great.”

The Saints, coming off a bye week after the two shutouts, had not scored since Oct. 12.

For the Raiders, George was 17 for 39 for 211 yards and Napoleon Kaufman was held to 14 yards in 15 carries. The Raiders had only 32 yards on the ground.

Shuler was 21 for 34 for 181 yards for the Saints.