Kamara becomes Saints’ career TD leader, Carr throws 2 TDs in 34-0 rout over Patriots

by: KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer

Posted: Oct 8, 2023 / 04:32 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 9, 2023 / 03:19 PM EDT

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) — Alvin Kamara rushed for a touchdown to become the Saints’ career TD leader, Derek Carr had two scoring passes and New Orleans routed the New England Patriots 34-0 on Sunday.

Tyrann Mathieu added a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown to help New Orleans (3-2) chase Patriots quarterback Mac Jones from the game — the second straight week coach Bill Belichick sidelined Jones in the second half.

Kamara punched in his 73rd career TD, one of his 22 carries for 80 yards. Carr finished 18 of 26 for 183 yards, and Michael Thomas had four catches for 65 yards as New Orleans ended a two-game skid. The Saints outgained the Patriots 304-156.

It was the second-worst shutout loss in team history for New England, trailing only a 52-0 drubbing in Miami against the undefeated Dolphins in 1972. It also drops the Patriots to 1-4 for the first time since 2000, Belichick’s first season in New England.

He remains a win short of joining Hall of Famers Don Shula and George Halas as the only coaches in NFL history with 300 regular-season victories.

Jones was 12 of 22 for 110 yards, the pick-6 and another interception that set up a Saints touchdown. He also lost a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by Cameron Jordan and set up a Saints’ field goal. He was replaced by backup Bailey Zappe in the fourth quarter.

New England is yet to top 20 points five games into the season, something it’s only done three times before (1965, 1971 and 1995). The offense has 10 turnovers.

The Saints entered last in the NFL in red-zone efficiency. They went 3 for 3 on their opportunities inside the 20-yard line on Sunday, taking advantage of a Patriots defense missing its two top performing defenders in linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

The Patriots were just three plays into their second drive of the game when Saints defensive lineman Carl Granderson hit Jones as he tried to release a short pass intended for Rhamondre Stevenson. The ball fluttered and dropped into the hands of Mathieu, who ran it back for a TD.

It was Jones’ third pick-6 of the season and second in two weeks.

Following a missed field goal by New England, New Orleans marched 62 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with Kamara’s 2-yard touchdown run. It was Kamara’s first rushing score since Week 16 of last season.

It came a week after he made his season debut in Week 4 after serving a three-game suspension for his involvement in a February 2022 fight in Las Vegas.

The Patriots gave the ball back following a quick three-and-out. The lead then grew to 21-0 on New Orleans’ next possession, this time coming via a 5-yard TD pass from Carr to Chris Olave.

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