SmashMouth

The New Orleans Saints squeaked out a 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and by no stretch was it easy.

The Saints plodded through the first half, totaling 76 net yards and converting on 17 percent of third-down attempts (1 of 6) en route to a 17-3 deficit.

While the Saints roared back in the second half, coach Sean Payton emphasized the team still had plenty of areas to address.

“By no means is it a game you come away from and feel like, man, you’re ready for the regular season to start,” Payton said. “We’ve got a lot of work still to do.”



One area that proved to be a sore spot for Payton surrounded two costly turnovers inside the Chargers’ 10-yard line and another botched snap at the Chargers’ 26-yard line.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw an interception with the Saints threatening to score at the Chargers’ 8-yard line early in the second quarter. Bridgewater’s pass bounced off running back Dwayne Washington’s hands and into the waiting arms of Chargers safety Jaylen Watkins.

Bridgewater, who started the game before giving way to Taysom Hill before halftime, took full responsibility for the mistake near the goal line on a pass that went high.

“It’s something that came up back in the spring,” Bridgewater said. “Coach mentioned it to me sometimes when I get off my progression and get to the check-down, sometimes I get to it too fast … I just have to throw a better pass and avoid turning the ball over in that situation.”

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