NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets insist their greatest rebound of 2024 may be yet to come.
“If we come back from this, then it’s going to be it’s going to be a heck of a story. We're going to be adding to that whole Grimace, OMG stuff," Brandon Nimmo said after New York fell into a 3-1 NL Championship Series deficit with a 10-2 dud against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.
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New York Mets pitcher Jose Quintana leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets pitcher José Buttó leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Jesse Winker reacts after flying out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez gets hit by pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez gets hit by pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A New York Mets fan watches during their loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets watch during the ninth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
They dropped six games back of a wild card berth with a 22-33 start and made the playoffs.
They were two outs from elimination before Pete Alonso's three-run home run saved them in the Wild Card Series at Milwaukee.
They rallied with five runs in the eighth inning of the Division Series opener at Philadelphia and got a go-ahead grand slam from Francisco Lindor in the sixth inning of Game 4 to finish the Phillies.
“It's taught us a lot about our character and who we are in our identity as a team. We’re a super-resilient bunch, and we’ve had to pretty much answer the bell all year," Alonso said. “The one word I can think of of the 2024 Mets other than Grimace is resiliency. That’s just who we are."
Hopeful of reaching the World Series for the first time since 2015 and winning the title for the first time since 1986, New York has been outscored 30-9 by the Dodgers. Mets pitchers have walked 31 and batters have gone 4 for 29 with runners in scoring position, including 0 for 11 in the last two defeats.
Alonso is hitting .133 (2 for 15) with no RBIs. Nimmo .200 (3 for 15) with one RBI and Lindor .250 (4 for 16) with one RBI.
“If you have no belief, you shouldn't be here,” Lindor said. “You go to believe. You got to fight for what we want.”
David Peterson will make his first start since Sept. 29, the next-to-last day of the Mets' regular season, after six relief appearances in the playoffs.
“I feel ready to go as deep as necessary," he said. “Looking forward to it and ready to give every pitch I have.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza did not give his team a rah-rah speech after the game, instead saving his thoughts for Friday.
“I’ll go in the same way I’ve been doing the whole year.” he said. “I’ll stop by the hitters meeting or the pitchers meeting, small settings. But I definitely will say something.”
Los Angeles overcame a 3-1 NLCS deficit in 2020 and went on to win the World Series. The Mets realize the task is difficult but not impossible.
All the adversity they've overcome this year gives Mets players hope.
“We have history with it, so this isn’t new,” Nimmo said. “We we can do it. This team is very capable. It’s a very good team. Bu it’s just going to take all of us pulling together and it all working on the same cylinder and, honestly, some good things are going to have to come our way. We're going to have to have some balls drop.”
Alonso, eligible for free agency after the World Series, said he isn't thinking about the possibility of Friday being his final game with the Mets.
“I’m so focused on just trying to win for these guys. This group is really special and it’s been an absolute blast this year," he said. "We’ve accomplished a lot but this is going to be an incredible challenge and I’m really excited to go into battle tomorrow with with the guys in this clubhouse.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Mets pitcher Jose Quintana leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets pitcher José Buttó leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Jesse Winker reacts after flying out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez gets hit by pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez gets hit by pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A New York Mets fan watches during their loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Mets watch during the ninth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sean Payton made a point of getting to the Superdome long before he normally would for a game — six hours before kickoff — so he could ease into what he figured would be an emotional return to place where he coached on the home sideline for a decade and a half.
“I'm glad I was here early,” Payton said, reflecting on the heady times in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, when the Saints became a morale-boosting, inspirational force in the lives of rebuilding residents.
“That was a unique time,” Payton recalled. “None of us understood what it would mean and how big it would become. Coming back here is different and kind of special.”
And made better by seeing his current team, the Denver Broncos, win handily.
Javonte Williams rushed for two touchdowns, Cody Barton returned a fumble 52 yards for a score, and the Broncos beat the banged-up and reeling Saints 33-10 on Thursday night.
Bo Nix passed for 164 yards and ran for 75 yards for Denver (4-3), which dominated statistically. The Broncos outgained New Orleans 389 yards to 271 while sending the Saints (2-5) to their fifth straight defeat.
“It was awesome. The Saints mean a lot to him. He was there for a while and had amazing success,” Nix said, alluding to Payton's franchise-high 152 regular-season victories with the Saints from 2006 to 2021, and his Super Bowl-winning season in 2009. “I’m happy for him.”
Payton's New Orleans teams had just two losses at home by 20 points or more, something the Saints have done twice in the past five days.
“It's been disappointing,” Allen said. “Injuries play a part of it but we've got to find a way to play better.
“We're making mistakes we shouldn't be making,” Allen added. “Us as coaches and players alike, we've got to figure it out.”
Allen was Payton's defensive coordinator in New Orleans, and the two embraced after the game.
“I felt bad,” Payton said. “New Orleans is nicked up, got a lot of injuries.”
With Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) missing his second straight game, there were rookies under center for both teams.
Spencer Rattler made his second straight start for New Orleans and his lack of experience was exacerbated by injuries all across the the offense.
The Saints were missing top receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), the latter going on injured reserve earlier in the day. Two starting linemen, center Erik McCoy (groin) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), were out. Versatile tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) missed his third straight game.
Rattler was overwhelmed by a Denver defense that came in ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed.
He was 25 of 35 for 172 yards, rushed for 34 yards and lost two fumbles, the second of which Barton took to the end zone in the fourth quarter. Rattler appeared shaken up on the play and was replaced by Jake Haener, who connected with Cedric Wilson for New Orleans' lone TD.
Barton forced Rattler's first fumble, which led to one of former Saint Wil Lutz's four field goals.
Rattler was sacked six times, once by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who had a sack for a fifth straight game.
New Orleans' defense, meanwhile, could not come up with any momentum-turning plays.
Tryann Mathieu uncharacteristically dropped an errant pass by Nix that sailed directly to the veteran defensive back late in the second quarter. That allowed the the Broncos to close out the half with a field goal and a 16-3 lead.
“Early on in the season, we played good football, so I know this team has it in them,” Allen said, referring to lopsided victories over Carolina and Dallas. “But right now we're not playing that way and obviously there's a multitude of reasons why, and we've got to figure out how to get back to playing that type of football.”
During halftime, record-setting former QB Drew Brees was honored on the field to mark his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame. Team owner Gayle Benson presented Brees with a blazer, and a portrait of the club's all-time passer holding the Lombardi Trophy was unveiled.
Brees also was honored at a luncheon earlier in the day, during which Payton made an appearance to congratulate the star player he coached for 14 seasons.
“It's always good to see him,” Payton said.
Brees' 80,358 career yards passing rank second in NFL history behind only Tom Brady's 89,214.
For many fans in attendance, the halftime festivities were the highlight of the night. The Superdome was largely empty by the fourth quarter.
Broncos: CB Patrick Surtain (concussion) and RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) were inactive.
Saints: CB Paulson Adebo was carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg in the second quarter and taken to a hospital. Allen said Adebo had a broken femur. ... CB Marshon Lattimore left with a hamstring injury. ... OL Nick Saldiveri left with a shoulder injury. LB Pete Werner (hamstring) was inactive.
Broncos: Host Carolina on Oct. 27.
Saints: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 27.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos won 33-10. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) hugs Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton after an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos won 33-10. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, left, greets New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen after an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos won 33-10. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen, left, talks with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton after an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos won 33-10. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates with teammate tight end Lucas Krull (85) after an 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) runs from New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees celebrates his induction in the Saints Hall of Fame during halftime of NFL football game between the Saints and the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scrambles up field during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen, left, greets Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton before an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen, right, hugs Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton before an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, left, greets his brother Tom Payton as he walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brews walks on the field before an NFL football game between the Saints and the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brews walks on the field before an NFL football game between the Saints and the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0) and linebacker Kwon Alexander (12) look to recover a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Denver Broncos linebacker Cody Barton (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. The Broncos recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) breaks a tackle by New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
