Over the top

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 26, 2009 - Page: 1C

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MIAMI — Seconds after New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter reached the end zone with a 54-yard interception return that punctuated a stirring comeback win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis put his team’s latest win in perspective.

“That,” Loomis said before heading for the press box door, “was a strong, strong, strong win.”

Maybe, but three strongs may not be enough to describe the Saints’ play in an exhilarating 46-34 victory over the Dolphins in Land Shark Stadium, an inspirational triumph that kept the Saints — who trailed 24-3 just seconds before halftime — undefeated.

The Saints outscored the Dolphins 43-10 the rest of the way in what is believed to match the biggest comeback in club history. The Saints won after trailing by 21 points twice, the last time on Dec. 20, 1987, when they scored 38 unanswered points after falling behind 24-3 in the second quarter.

As a result, the Saints (6-0) are one of only three undefeated teams left as the Indianapolis Colts (6-0) won on Sunday and the Denver Broncos (6-0) had an off week. It’s the first time in NFL history that three teams have been unbeaten through Week 7.

It was the sixth straight double-digit victory for the Saints, who, in the first two quarters, looked anything but the team that had won its first five games by 99 points and never trailed in any contest.

Never being behind changed in a hurry, however, when the Saints stumbled badly out of the gate against the Dolphins.

They failed to score on their first possession for the first time this season, then sputtered offensively as Drew Brees threw two interceptions—both of which led to Dolphins touchdowns — and lost a fumble while being sacked three times in the first half.

Brees threw an interception to Dolphins safety Tyrone Culver on their second series, which led to the first of three touchdowns by former Saints running back Ricky Williams — a 4-yard run — on the next play.

Williams also had a 68-yard TD burst and Ronnie Brown scored on an 8-yard run out of the Wildcat formation after Dan Carpenter’s 32-yard field goal, giving the Dolphins a 24-3 cushion.

The big comeback started with Brees lobbying coach Sean Payton to go for a touchdown rather than a field goal from six inches out with five seconds to play in the first half.

Brees figured the Saints needed more than three points to juice up the team at halftime, then, after a Dolphins’ timeout, dove over for the 1-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 24-10 with two seconds left.

“When they called the timeout, Drew spent a little while in my ear and he felt confident he could get the ball over (the goal line),” Payton said. “We were right there on the six-inch line, so we went ahead with that call.”