Saints fail to get vengeance on Rams, Antonio Brown scores for Patriots
CGTN

Another officiating insult was nothing compared to the hand injury to quarterback Drew Brees on Sunday as the New Orleans Saints fell 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL playoff rematch.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff passed for 283 yards including a touchdown and rushed for another TD.

The Los Angeles defense held the Saints without an offensive touchdown in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game, when a missed pass interference call cost New Orleans a Super Bowl shot.

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints warms up ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints warms up ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

The highly anticipated grudge match took an unexpected turn when Brees's throwing hand, his right, hit Rams defender Aaron Donald's hand, hurting the quarterback's thumb in the first half.

Brees sat out the rest of the game, and said afterward he'd be seeking further medical guidance.

"I got X-rays. I'm waiting to meet with a specialist," he said, adding that he wasn't sure if he'd be playing next week.

Sunday's game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum saw the Saints again come up on the wrong side of a poor call, when Cameron Jordan returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown that didn't count because the play was initially ruled an incomplete pass.

Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles as he looks to pass in the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles as he looks to pass in the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Video review showed Goff had fumbled, but since the whistle had been blown to end the play, the TD didn't count.

Saints coach Sean Payton was furious, but said later his team's real problem was 11 penalties that cost them 87 yards and a bevy of missed tackles and other mistakes.

"This'll be a hard film to watch for guys," he said.

Brown scores, Pats roll

Players of the New England Patriots celebrate after their 49-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Players of the New England Patriots celebrate after their 49-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

With controversial receiver Antonio Brown on board, there was no doubt for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in Miami.

The Pats, led by superstar quarterback Tom Brady, had lost five of their last six games in Miami, but they crushed the Dolphins 43-0 as Brown caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in his first game for the Super Bowl champions.

The Patriots inked Brown on Monday, after he engineered his departure from the Oakland Raiders but before a civil lawsuit was filed against him by his former trainer accusing him of sexually assaulting her.

Antonio Brown of the New England Patriots on a first down reception in the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, Sept. 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Antonio Brown of the New England Patriots on a first down reception in the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, Sept. 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

There was speculation that Brown would end up sidelined on the NFL commissioner's exempt list as the league looked into those allegations.

But with no criminal charges pending, Brown was free to play, and the Patriots wasted no time in making use of him.

"I don't make any of those decisions, so I just show up and do my job," said Brady, who found Brown with a 20-yard touchdown pass shortly before halftime.

"I was just trying to find the open guy," said Brady, who threw for two touchdowns to help the Pats improve to 2-0 in the fledgling season.

Tom Brady #12 and Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots communicate with each other ahead of the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Tom Brady #12 and Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots communicate with each other ahead of the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

As in week one, New England's defense was outstanding, scoring twice on interception returns in the space of two minutes in the fourth quarter.

Patriots defenders amassed seven sacks and four interceptions, limiting the hapless Dolphins to 184 yards.

Miami, who have been out-scored 10-102 in two defeats, pulled quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick after he surrendered his second pick-six of the contest.

Other games on Sunday included (away teams come first):

Arizona Cardinals 17-23 Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Cowboys 31-21 Washington Redskins

Indianapolis Colts 19-17 Tennessee Titans

Seattle Seahawks 28-26 Pittsburgh Steelers

Buffalo Bills 28-14 New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers 41-17 Cincinnati Bengals

Los Angeles Chargers 10-13 Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings 16-21 Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars 12-13 Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs 28-10 Oakland Raiders

Chicago Bears 16-14 Denver Broncos

Philadelphia Eagles 20-24 Atlanta Falcons

Source(s): AFP