Mike Williams pushed out of bounds by Patrick Robinson on the final play of the game

Jonathan Vilma was active, and Drew Brees threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday’s 35-28 victory over Tampa Bay.

Brees was in his normal form. He connected with four different receivers for touchdowns–Marques Colston, Joe Morgan, Darren Sproles, and David Thomas. Lance Moore was the Saints’ leading receiver, with nine receptions for 121 yards. Pierre Thomas was the leading rusher, with paltry 32 yards and a five-yard TD.

Jonathan Vilma was active but didn’t get the start. Vilma’s presence didn’t exactly lift the Saints defense to a higher plain. But, they did look…better. Like when S Malcolm Jenkins prevented Vincent Jackson scoring after a 95 yard catch and run. Malcolm Jenkins showed some incredible speed and stopped Jackson on the one-yard line. The Saints defense was able to stop Tampa Bay from scoring on that drive.

TB quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns. Vincent Jackson was the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with 216 yards and a TD. Freeman also connected with Dallas Clark and Tiquan Underwood in the endzone. On the ground, Doug Martin had 85 yards and a TD.

The Saints had to rely upon their bottom-ranked defense to prevent a last-second Tampa Bay touchdown to tie the game. TB quarterback Josh Freeman connected with WR Mike Williams in the endzone, so it looked like the game was going into overtime. However, Williams was shoved out of bounds (legally) by Saints CB Patrick Robinson. Once a player has stepped out-of-bounds, it is illegal for them to be the first to touch the ball. Williams’ catch was called no good, ending the game. Drama, people. NFL’s got it.

Next up, the Saints travel to Denver for Sunday Night Football.