NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — In a matchup of previously winless teams desperate for a spark, the New Orleans Saints found theirs in an 87-yard lightning strike from quarterback Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, a play that ignited a sluggish offense and propelled the Saints to a 26-14 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday at a raucous Caesars Superdome.

A crowd of 70,008 watched as the Saints, now 1-4, overcame an early two-touchdown deficit by scoring 23 unanswered points, with their defense and special teams sealing the win late. The Giants, also falling to 1-4, saw their early momentum evaporate amid a relentless New Orleans pass rush and a pair of critical fourth-quarter interceptions.

The game began as a afternoonmare for the home team. The Giants, led by quarterback Jaxson Dart, executed a surgical 11-play, 75-yard opening drive that consumed over five minutes of clock. Dart capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Theo Johnson, giving New York an early 7-0 lead.

After the Giants’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, the New York offense went back to work. They methodically moved down the field again, with Dart connecting with Johnson for a second time, this time on a 15-yard scoring strike early in the second quarter to extend their advantage to 14-3.

The Saints’ offense, meanwhile, had sputtered for much of the first quarter-and-a-half, managing only a 28-yard Blake Grupe field goal. But the momentum shifted with one explosive play. Facing a first down from their own 13-yard line with just over five minutes remaining in the half, Rattler dropped back and found Shaheed streaking down the right sideline. Shaheed caught the pass in stride, split the secondary, and outran the pursuit for an 87-yard touchdown, the longest play from scrimmage this season for either team.

The score energized the Saints and their crowd, cutting the deficit to 14-13. The Giants’ offense, which had been efficient, suddenly stalled. Following the touchdown, New York managed only one first down on their next two possessions, allowing New Orleans one final chance before halftime.

Rattler engineered a two-minute drill to perfection, moving the Saints 69 yards in 11 plays. The drive was kept alive by a pair of defensive pass interference penalties on the Giants, and Grupe nailed a 29-yard field goal as time expired in the half to give New Orleans its first lead at 16-14.

The Saints carried that momentum into the second half. On the Giants’ first possession of the third quarter, defensive end Cameron Jordan strip-sacked Dart, and he recovered the fumble himself at the New Orleans 46. The Saints’ offense capitalized on the short field, with Grupe connecting on his third field goal of the day, another 28-yarder, to push the lead to 19-14.

The Giants had opportunities to reclaim the lead, mounting a 16-play drive that bled from the third quarter into the fourth. However, the possession stalled at the New Orleans 13-yard line, and a failed fourth-down conversion attempt early in the fourth quarter handed the ball back to the Saints.

New Orleans put the game away with a methodical, clock-chewing drive. Rattler, showing poise and mobility, mixed runs by Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara with timely short passes. The 13-play, 68-yard march was capped by a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Miller, extending the Saints’ lead to 26-14 with just over 14 minutes remaining.

The Giants’ final hopes were extinguished by the New Orleans secondary. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry intercepted Dart twice in the fourth quarter, the first ending a promising New York drive near midfield and the second coming with just over five minutes left, effectively sealing the outcome.

Rattler, the second-year quarterback from Phoenix, finished an efficient 20 of 30 for 225 yards and the long touchdown to Shaheed, adding 21 yards on six scrambles. Shaheed was his primary deep threat, hauling in four receptions for 114 yards. Miller led the Saints’ ground attack with 41 yards on 10 carries and the crucial fourth-quarter touchdown.

For the Giants, Dart completed 26 of 40 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns but was hampered by the two late interceptions and the key fumble. He was also the team’s leading rusher, scrambling for 55 yards on seven attempts. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo was a bright spot, totaling 104 yards from scrimmage (59 rushing, 45 receiving). Johnson was the recipient of both of Dart’s touchdown passes.

Defensively, the Saints were led by linebacker Pete Werner, who racked up 11 tackles, and veteran Demario Davis, who added 10. McKinstry’s two interceptions were the game’s only takeaways until the final kneel-down.

The victory gives the Saints a much-needed boost as they head into a Week 6 matchup at home against the New England Patriots. The Giants, meanwhile, face a short week as they prepare to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday afternoon.