There are 66 days left until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, and Jimmy Graham’s 66-yard touchdown catch is our Saints Play of the Day. Graham came through in a huge spot when the Saints needed it most, which you can view here.
The only problem with this play is that Graham scored too soon. Facing a 29-24 deficit against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 divisional round, Drew Brees took the snap out of the shotgun deep inside his own territory with 1:48 left in regulation. He threw a lob to Graham down the middle of the field with two 49ers defenders around him (and a third closing in fast), but Graham came down with the football and spun himself free into the open field. A stiff arm shoved Carlos Rogers away from him and Graham ran into the end zone, giving the Saints the lead with 1:37 left to play.
And it was too much time. The 49ers marched downfield unchallenged by Gregg Williams’ defense, which had no answers for Vernon Davis; the veteran tight end flipped the field with a 47-yard catch, and capped it with a 14-yard touchdown reception. Brees and the Saints offense took the field with only seconds remaining, but it proved futile.
Before the NFC championship game no-call, and before the Minneapolis Miracle, this was the most painful Saints playoff loss in recent memory. And ever since fans have dreaded scoring with too much time left for the other team to counterattack. But individual efforts like Graham’s field-crossing touchdown catch shouldn’t be forgotten. Plays like this one were the only reason the Saints were competitive in this game so late in regulation.
