it was the same old, same old story again my friend.

Saints Rally Falls Short www.saintsauthorizedshops.com , Lose to Buccaneers 48-40 The Saints had not won a season opener since the first game of the 2013 season, and in 2018 On Sunday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans came out swinging, scoring on their first three possessions and totaling 24 points in the first half. You would think that scoring 24 points in one half would have the Saints comfortably in the lead? Think again: New Orleans’ defense allowed Tampa Bay to have just as much success, looking every bit the porous and inept unit that we have come to loathe during Sean Payton’s tenure. In the first half, the Bucs did not punt once and scored a franchise record 31 points (with seven of those coming on a Mike Gillislee fumble returned for a touchdown). In the second half, the Saints offense suddenly became sluggish, beset by penalties, drops and a costly fumble by Michael Thomas. The Bucs found the end zone once again in the third quarter, upping their lead to 17 points in the third quarter at 41-24. The fourth quarter brought much of the same, Tampa absolutely perforating the Saints defense and scoring at will as the lead ballooned up to 24 points. New Orleans would finally get on the board with touchdowns by Alvin Kamara and two points conversions to get within eight at 48-40. But Ryan Fitzpatrick (who I’m sure was actually Tom Brady disguised as a Buccaneer) continued lighting up the Saints secondary, throwing for over 400 yards and using his feet to convert a crucial third and eleven play late in the fourth quarter.The defense had an absolutely horrendous day, unable to put any pressure of Fitzpatrick and not much better against the run. Could it be a fluke? Next week against the Cleveland Browns should tell us very quickly where this season is likely to go: another year of shootouts where Drew Brees has to throw 50 times a game, or a season like last year New Orleans Saints Womens T-Shirt , where the running game and the defense are competent enough to keep the team balanced and make them a contender. For now, and although it is just one game, the 2018 Saints are big, gigantic fraud!***Below is a timeline of the game as it unfolded, if you can stomach to read.1st QuarterSaints take the opening kickoff all the way down for a touchdown by Alvin KamaraNO: 7 - TB: 0The Buccaneers respond immediately, with DeSean Jackson for a 58-yard touchdownNO: 7 - TB: 7Saints go back down the field and have to settle for a Wil Lutz field goalNO: 10 - TB: 7Tampa Bay easily gets into Saints territory on runs by Peyton BarberFitzpatrick gets into the end zone for a touchdownNO: 10 - TB: 14Saints just as quickly get into Bucs territory as the quarter endsThis has all the makings of a shootout early!2nd QuarterBrees finds Ted Ginn Jr. for a 28-yard touchdown to open the second quarterNO: 17 - TB: 14Bucs get into the Saints’ red zone in the blink of an eyeTampa stall and Chandler Catanzaro ties the game with a 33-yard field goalNO: 17 - TB: 17Saints go three-and-out for the first time as Brees is sacked Bucs dice up the defense again and move down the field with easeFitzpatrick finds Chris Godwin for a touchdownNO: 17 - TB: 24With just over four minutes left in the first half, the Bucs haven’t punted yetMike Gillislee fumbles the ball and the Buccaneers recover for a touchdownNO: 17 - TB: 31Saints get into Bucs territory and into the Bucs red zoneBrees finds Michael Thomas alone in the end zone for a touchdownNO: 24 - TB: 31Buccaneers take a knee, at the half Saints are down seven3rd QuarterBucs start with the ball as they had deferred after winning the tossBucs easily get into the red zone aided by Saints penaltiesTampa stalls and settle for a 36-yard field goalNO: 24 - TB: 34Saints go three-and-out for the second time of the game and puntBucs go three-and-out and punt for the first timeSaints stall and have to punt once againRyan Fitzpatrick finds Mike Evans for a 50-yard touchdownNO: 24 - TB: 41Saints get into Bucs territory, but Michael Thomas fumbles the ball awayBucs take over as the quarter ends4th QuarterKen Crawley gifts the Bucs another first down on a terrible PIRyan Fitzpatrick finds DeSean Jackson for a touchdownNO: 24 - TB: 48Saints drive into the Bucs red zoneAlvin Kamara runs into the end zone for a touchdownKamara converts the two-point conversionNO: 32 - TB: 48On third down, Bucs go deep and find DeSean Jackson into Saints territoryBucs stall while running the clock and settle for a field goalCatanzaro misses the field goal as the Saints take overSaints get into Bucs territory in two playsBrees finds Alvin Kamara for a touchdownTed Ginn Jr. converts the two-point tryNO: 40 - TB: 48The Bucs take over and run the clock, converting a big 3rd and 11 playBuccaneers win the game 48-40. Philip Rivers has many accomplishments, but there is one trait that he has taken pride in over his 15-year career 鈥?durability.The Chargers' veteran signal caller will become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to make at least 200 consecutive regular-season starts when Los Angeles travels to Seattle."It's pretty cool. I mean, obviously the two Mannings (Peyton and Eli) and Favre have started over 200 in a row, and I just feel thankful," Rivers said. "I think there is a small element of toughness involved New Orleans Saints Hats , but then again, shoot, lots of prayers for me from many people on Sundays and guys' protection that allow me to be out there each and every week, whether dealing with minor things or big things."Rivers' streak is even more impressive considering the physical and mental demands of the position as well as the constant QB turnover throughout the league. Since Rivers' first start on Sept. 11, 2006, at Oakland:鈥?There have been 179 different starting quarterbacks, including San Francisco's Nick Mullens on Thursday night.鈥?Of that group, 78 have started for two or more teams and 12 have been with four or more. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been the most traveled with starts for six teams.鈥?While the Chargers have had only one starting QB, 18 teams have had 10 or more start under center and eight have had 13 or more with the Browns (18), Rams (16) and Vikings (16) leading the way.鈥?Rivers, who has a 111-98 record, has started against 91 quarterbacks and defeated 69, including Favre and both Mannings.Longevity, though, is nothing new for Rivers New Orleans Saints Womens Hoodie , who started 51 consecutive games at North Carolina State."I think just being out there each and every week has always been important," he said. "Obviously, you want to be able to go out there and help. It's not just be out there. You want to play at a high level, and that's been up and down over 199, but being out there means something."NFL on CBS commentator Boomer Esiason said he thought it wasn't humanly possible to see a quarterback start 200 or more consecutive games, but that Rivers' leadership is what has stood out throughout his career.He also noted that Rivers' relationship with Drew Brees during his first two years with the Chargers, where both had a friendly rivalry, is something that rarely happens these days due to constant scrutiny and social media.While Brees has had great success with Sean Payton in New Orleans, Rivers has had a tougher time. The Chargers have not been to the playoffs since 2013."With Philip's competitive personality and leadership he is what other quarterbacks should aspire to be," Esiason said. "He's an extension of the coaching staff when he is out on the field."Even at age 36, Rivers is off to one of the best starts of his career as the 5-2 Chargers have won four straight. He is third in the league with a 117.8 passer rating and is tied for third with 17 touchdown passes.He has excelled this season on deep passes along with throwing into tight windows. According to the league's Next Gen stats, Rivers leads the league at 9.2 yards per attempt and has a 124.1 rating when the receiver is separated by less than a yard from the defender.Rivers also has six touchdowns and no interceptions on deep passes (thrown in the air 20 yards or more). Seattle's defense has allowed only five completions on deep passes."Sometimes as an older player, your body won't let you do it. He's gifted. He hasn't faced that problem," Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said.If Rivers' streak continues, he would tie Peyton Manning (208) at the end of the season and Eli Manning (210) in Week 2 of next season. As for Favre's mark of 297 Womens Customized New Orleans Saints Jerseys , Rivers said that is too many games for him to have a chance."Favre was always a favorite of mine. Still is. I kind of wanted to have that mark, or at least push for it in college," Rivers said. "I'm not going to get there. So y'all can do the math and figure out your projection of how many years I'm going to play, but I'm not going to get to 300."Rivers might also be the last to get into the 200 straight starts club for a while. Atlanta's Matt Ryan, who is in his 11th season, is second among active straight starts with 138 and Detroit's Matthew Stafford, who is in his 10th, has 119. Seattle's Russell Wilson, who has started every game since entering the league in 2012, is at 103 and wouldn't reach 200 until midway through the 2024 season. Custom Green Bay Packers Jerseys