It belonged on all of the highlight packages, an inspired effort listed as a 77-yard touchdown pass for Jeff Blake, but one that was all catch and run on Jamal Lewis' part.
It was the longest reception of the running back's career, but it only began to atone for his two lost fumbles that New Orleans capitalized on for its second and third touchdowns yesterday in a 37-25 victory at Ravens Stadium.
Twice within a six-minute stretch that spanned the second and third quarters, the Ravens opened possessions by calling the number of their top offensive threat.
Twice, Lewis coughed up the ball, and twice the Saints offense ate up those short fields. His loose handle allowed New Orleans to score touchdowns on 33- and 22-yard drives and turn a tight, 13-7 lead into a 27-7 cushion.
"I just had a jinxed day, a bad day carrying the ball," Lewis said. "I put the defense in an awkward position to try to make a stop, and New Orleans ended up converting on both of them. ... I had to redeem myself [with the touchdown]. I just wish we could have had one or two more of those."
It was a frustrating step backward for Lewis, who had turned the ball over just once in the five previous games and appeared to be recovered from early season fumbling problems. Lewis lost four fumbles in a five-game span that stretched from Week 4 through Week 8, but since then had applied a surer handle.
"I had been taking care of the ball," Lewis said. "That's what makes it really discouraging, because that's what I've been working on. My ball carrying, my ball handling, really trying to get back in that groove, carrying the ball and the contact."
His first contribution to New Orleans' cause came late in the first half, after the Ravens had appeared to escape a blocked punt as Deuce McAllister fumbled on the Saints' first down. On the next play, Lewis gave it right back. A similar miscue by Lewis stopped the Ravens' second possession of the second half.
After he set up the Saints' first 20-point lead, Lewis bounced back with the play of the day. He snared a swing pass 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, churned through the grasp of cornerback Fred Thomas and sidestepped safety Jay Bellamy. Past the speediest defenders, Lewis did not appear to decelerate down the right sideline.
The Ravens' game plan has counted on opposing defenses slowing down in the second half against a pounding rushing attack, and Lewis acknowledged that his fumbles closed that avenue by making his team play catch-up.
While McAllister rambled for 127 yards, Lewis got just four carries in the second half and finished with 17 for 48 yards and a 2.8 average, his fourth-worst production of the season.
"Because we got down early," Lewis said, "we had to get away from running the ball."