Saints dominate Jets, 29-6

The New Orleans Saints leaned on versatility, defense and a steady kicking game Sunday to continue their late-season momentum.

Chris Olave caught two touchdown passes, Charlie Smyth tied a franchise record with five field goals and the Saints rolled to a 29–6 victory over the New York Jets, extending their winning streak to three games.

Taysom Hill delivered one of the afternoon’s defining moments with an unexpected 38-yard touchdown pass to Olave in the fourth quarter. Hill finished with 116 total yards, contributing as a passer, runner and receiver in what could be his final home appearance in a Saints uniform. The play capped a milestone-filled day for the 35-year-old, who became the first player in the Super Bowl era to surpass 1,000 career yards passing, rushing and receiving.

Olave also caught a touchdown from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who passed for 308 yards to eclipse 300 yards for the first time in his career. Shough improved to 4–3 as a starter and helped New Orleans control the game despite uneven offensive rhythm early.

Smyth, appearing in just his fourth NFL game, accounted for 15 points and matched the Saints’ single-game record with field goals of 35, 49, 36, 50 and 39 yards. New Orleans led 9–6 at halftime after Smyth converted three times in the opening two quarters, including one drive extended by a successful fake punt in which Hill picked up a short gain on fourth down.

Defensively, the Saints dominated the line of scrimmage. Cameron Jordan recorded two sacks to move past Rickey Jackson for 17th on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 130. Jordan now has at least eight sacks in nine different seasons and leads the team with 8½ this year. New Orleans finished with eight sacks overall.

The Jets managed only field goals from Nick Folk and struggled throughout behind undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook, who was making his second career start. Cook was sacked eight times, lost a fumble and threw an interception as New York fell to 3–12, losing its third straight game and fifth in six weeks.

Cook completed 22 of 35 passes for 188 yards, but the Jets failed to reach the end zone and committed costly mistakes that repeatedly gave New Orleans favorable field position.

Despite the loss, New York extended an unusual streak by going a 15th consecutive game without throwing an interception, setting an NFL record.

Injuries

Jets defensive lineman Jay Tufele injured his foot in the first half.

For New Orleans, tight end Foster Moreau exited in the third quarter with an ankle injury, and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee left later in the quarter with a knee injury.

Up Next

The Jets host the New England Patriots next Sunday.

The Saints travel to Tennessee to face the Titans next Sunday.