New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints RECAP, score and stats | NFL Week 15

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton (left) meets New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles at midfield after Sunday's game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Saints won, 31-19. (AP Photo | Butch Dill)

The New York Jets (5-8) -- led by quarterback Bryce Petty, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins -- met the New Orleans Saints (9-4) in NFL Week 15 action on Sunday, December 17, 2017 (12/17/17) at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Check the scoreboard above for the final score and click on the stats link for game stats.

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Here's NJ.com's coverage of the game:

Here's the AP recap:

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Mark Ingram ran for two touchdowns and gained 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 50-yard TD run, and the New Orleans Saints overcame three turnovers to defeat the struggling New York Jets, 31-19 on Sunday.

Michael Thomas became the second NFL player with at least 90 receptions in his first two seasons. He caught nine passes for 93 yards, including a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown on a short slant for New Orleans (10-4), which retained its tenuous hold on first place in the NFC South heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Alvin Kamara turned a short catch into a 10-yard TD in his return from a concussion that knocked him out of the Saints' loss at Atlanta a week earlier.

Bryce Petty made his first start at quarterback this season for the Jets (5-9), who were eliminated from playoff contentions. Petty completed 19 of 39 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice -- once on a tipped pass and once on a long, inconsequential throw as the game ended.

His 2-yard touchdown pass to former Louisiana-Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire cut New Orleans' lead to 24-19 with 1:51 left. But the Jets' onside kick failed and Ingram broke loose for his long score while the Saints were really just trying to run down the clock.

Drew Brees completed 26 of 36 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, but also was intercepted deep in his own territory to set up a Jets field goal at the end of the first half.

Thomas made four clutch catches -- three for first downs and one for a touchdown -- during a fourth-quarter series that put New Orleans up 24-13.

New Orleans scored 17 points on its first three drives.

Ingram had four catches for 80 yards on the first two drives, including a 54-yard gain on a screen that set up the opening field goal. Ingram also scored the game's first touchdown, his 10th this season, on a 1-yard run that made it 10-0.

Bilal Powell briefly pulled New York to 10-7 with his 2-yard run before New Orleans quickly answered with Kamara's TD.

The Saints stagnated after that, however, failing to score on their next seven possessions. In addition to third-down failures, New Orleans turned the ball over three times -- once deep in their own territory on Brees' errant throw and twice inside the Jets 20 on receiver Brandon Coleman's fumbles.

INJURIES

Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams, whose interception set up the Jets' field goal late in the first half, left in the third quarter with concussion symptoms.

Saints tight end Michael Hoomanawanui left in the first half with concussion symptoms. Right guard Larry Warford went out with concussion symptoms late in the first half after he tried to make a tackle on Williams' interception.

QUOTABLE

"Still got the mullet! You guys remember the mullet?" -- Former kicker Morton Andersen, a Saints player from 1982-1994, speaking to the Superdome crowd while being presented his Hall of Fame ring at halftime.

UP NEXT

Jets: Host the Chargers in a game with playoff implications for San Diego.

Saints: Host the Falcons in what could be a pivotal contest in the NFC South race.

Click here for NJ Advance Media's picks and predictions for the game.

Here's what you need to know:

Who: New York Jets at New Orleans Saints

When: Sunday, December 17, 2017

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Eastern

TV: CBS

Announcers: Kevin Harlan on play-by-play, Rich Gannon as the analyst

Livestream: NFL Game Pass or Sunday TicketCBS All Access (subscription required)

Line: Saints -16

More to know: QB Josh McCown was named one of eight finalists this week for the NFL's 2017 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. This is the second time in his career that McCown has been nominated for the award and the first time he has been named a finalist. The award recognizes those who best demonstrate the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition. The award was created in 2014 in honor of the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney Sr. The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award is determined by a vote of current NFL players. The eight finalists will be listed on the Pro Bowl ballot under the NFL Sportsmanship Award category when players vote. The winner will be announced during the nationally televised NFL Honors show on Saturday, February 3 on NBC, the night before Super Bowl LII. Additionally, the winner will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice, as well as a trophy that represents the important role that sportsmanship plays in the game and how NFL players that demonstrate integrity and honor on the field serve as role models for players at all levels. -- via New York Jets 

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook

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