EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – – The New Orleans Saints made two jumps against the New York Giants. A defensive tackle by Bryan Bresee saved the much-needed win. The other from quarterback Derek Carr may have hurt their already slim chances of winning the NFC South.

The most important thing for the Saints (5-8) on Sunday was that they beat the Giants 14-11 and stayed alive. The Giants’ (2-11) playoff hopes ended weeks ago, and they found another way to lose, extending their deficit to eight games, one fewer than the team record.

Carr was the biggest concern for New Orleans. He injured his left, non-throwing hand while jumping for a first down, and with just under four minutes to play, he fell to the turf. Bresee secured the victory when he blocked a potential game-winning 35-yard field goal by Graham Gano with 11 seconds ahead.

With four games remaining, the Saints are two games behind first-place Tampa Bay (7-6) and one behind Atlanta.

“It keeps us in the game,” Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said after winning for the third time in four games since replacing Dennis Allen. “We have come to the end of the year. It’s mid-December and when you play important games that still count and have a chance to influence the final result, that’s a big deal.”

The 33-year-old Carr finished 20 of 31 for 219 yards. He was injured with just under four minutes to play when he went for a first down near the Saints 40 and landed hard. He was replaced by Jake Haener.

Rizzi said Carr would undergo tests on his left hand. He had no information on whether the QB would enter the concussion protocol or be available next weekend.

Carr could not be reached for comment after the game.

“He’s just trying to win, and in a game like this you need a first down or two and you put them away,” said Saints tight end Juwan Johnson, who caught an 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter. “He tried to make it work for us.”

New York got the ball at their 27 with 1:21 to play and ran to the Saints 12, where Drew Lock gained 25 yards on fourth down and then hit Malik Nabers for 23 yards. The Giants attempted to throw into the end zone twice for a winning touchdown before sending Gano off to force overtime. Gano’s kick was a little low and the Giants couldn’t defend the jumping Breese, who got a hand on the ball.

“At first I really didn’t think I was getting enough of it,” Bresee said. “I looked back and saw it went wrong. I was super excited.”

Gano, who hit a 43-yard field goal in the first half and had a 48-yarder nullified by a personal foul in the fourth quarter, said he kicked the final ball solidly, but Bresee got a thumbs up .

“I think it’s frustrating for our team, especially because we’re working so hard to come back like this,” Gano said. “So many guys had great plays and we worked really hard to come back and it’s hard to finish a game like that.”

Tyrone Tracy scored from a yard out with 4:11 left in the fourth quarter and Lock hit Nabers for a 2-pointer to bring New York within three points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Giants from falling to 0 :7 fell back home.

The Giants lost nine straight in 2019 and that led to the firing of coach Pat Shurmur. Coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are in their third season on the hot seat.

The fans’ frustration is growing. About 90 minutes before the game, a small plane circled over MetLife Stadium carrying a banner calling the Giants a “dumpster fire” and asking co-owner John Mara to overhaul the team that has been struggling since winning the Super Bowl in February Reached the playoffs twice in 2012.

Daboll did not comment on the transfer.

“I’m disappointed that we got two wins,” he said.

Finally a selection

Tre Hawkins ended the Giants’ NFL-record streak of 11 consecutive games without an interception when he picked off Carr at the Giants 17 in the third quarter. It was New York’s second pick of the season. Rookie linebacker Darius Muasau had an interception in the opening game against Minnesota.

Injuries

Saints: Backup LB D’Marco Jackson (ankle) and Carr left the game.

Giants: LG Jon Runyan Jr. (ankle), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) and S Tyler Nubin (ankle) left the game. CB Dru Phillips (shoulder) and LT Chris Hubbard (knee) were inactive.

Next

Saints: Host Washington next Sunday.

Giants: Host Baltimore next Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl