Saints Are Divine to the Rams

NEW ORLEANS — Of the St. Louis Rams’ four victories this season, three have been come-from-behind efforts and two of those have come against the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterback Tony Banks engineered a comeback from a 27-13 deficit, throwing two touchdown passes to Isaac Bruce, and Jerald Moore ran for a score in the Rams’ second consecutive victory, 34-27, over the Saints.

“I think our guys just believed,” Banks said. “We talked about that late in the third quarter when things weren’t going so well. We had talked to each other and told each other that we’ve got to believe.”

Banks completed 22 of 41 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams (4-10) overcame four turnovers--two of which the Saints converted into 10 points. Banks also was sacked five times and intercepted once.

“Tony came up with plays when he had to,” Ram Coach Dick Vermeil said. “Their pass-rush scheme was crazy for a while.”

The Saints (5-9) led, 20-13, going into the fourth quarter after Billy Joe Hobert connected with Andre Hastings for a 34-yard touchdown. It was the first passing touchdown for the Saints in 27 quarters.

New Orleans, with the last-place offense in the NFL, stretched its lead to 27-13 with 13:50 left when Hobert passed to Irv Smith for a one-yard touchdown.

After a pass interference penalty gave the Rams a first-and-goal on the three, Moore scored to make it 27-20.

With 5:46 left, Banks capped a four-play drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass play to Bruce, who had nine receptions for 144 yards, to tie the score, 27-27.

On the Saints’ next possession, Hobert was intercepted by Todd Lyght, who returned the ball to the New Orleans 11. Three plays later, Banks connected with Bruce for a five-yard touchdown for the decisive score with 3:51 left.