Graham shines as Saints top Titans
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jimmy Graham caught a pair of touchdown passes from Luke McCown and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Tennessee Titans, 31-24, in preseason action on Friday night.
Graham was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct following both touchdowns after doing his signature dunk over the goalpost. The NFL banned such celebrations in the offseason.
Graham tallied five receptions for 48 yards, while McCown was 12-of-20 for 117 yards for New Orleans. Mark Ingram carried the ball five times for 19 yards and added a 23-yard TD reception in the triumph.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jake Locker completed 8-of-11 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown and Justin Hunter caught four balls for 111 yards and a pair of scores for the Titans. Shonn Greene gained 46 yards on nine attempts and second-round rookie Bishop Sankey accumulated 31 yards on the ground on six totes in defeat.
Graham's 6-yard TD catch capped a 16-play, 80-yard march to open the scoring in the first before Hunter hauled in a four-yard score from Locker.
Travis Coons nailed a 50-yard field goal early in the second, while the Saints answered later in the quarter on Graham's 19-yard TD catch to give them a 14-10 advantage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The teams then traded scores to close the half. Zach Mettenberger, who completed 20-of-25 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, lofted a 64-yard TD pass to Hunter. New Orleans' ensuing drive was capped by Ingram's TD reception for a 21-17 cushion heading into the break.
Shayne Graham's 34-yard field goal and Seantavius Jones' 3-yard TD catch increased the margin to 31-17 in the fourth. Chase Coffman brought in a 1-yard score from Mettenberger to cap the scoring.