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NFL

Saints teetering after loss

CINCINNATI -- Every so often, another Saint muttered under his breath, breaking the silence but not the melancholy in the locker room.

They couldn't fathom how they had just outbungled the league's biggest bunglers, possibly costing them a playoff spot.

New Orleans played more like the league's worst team Sunday, losing 20-13 to Cincinnati. Nick Luchey scored two late touchdowns that will torment New Orleans for a week and maybe longer.

The loss clinched the NFC South title for the Bucs, who face the Steelers tonight at Raymond James Stadium.

New Orleans fell behind Atlanta and the New York Giants in the push for the last two playoff berths. The Falcons and Giants both won so the Saints have to hope one of them loses this weekend. New Orleans also must beat Carolina.

The Bengals hadn't won at home all season and had become the league's symbol of ineptitude.

"Everything was in our court today, but we were the Aints and they weren't the Bungles," left tackle Kyle Turley said after the Saints' third straight loss.

They were known as the Aints during their 20-year run without a winning season.

Just eight days ago the Saints were poised to clinch their second playoff berth in three years. Then they made a trip down memory lane, blowing fourth-quarter leads against last-place teams, starting Dec. 15 as Minnesota won on a two-point conversion with five seconds left.

This time, the Bengals pulled one out with their best player on the bench. Corey Dillon bruised his left elbow, leaving it to Luchey -- who changed his name from Nick Williams before the season -- to provide the next gut wrench.

His 3-yard run with 1:46 left gave the Bengals their first home win this season and first over an established team. The other came against expansion Houston.

"I don't understand why we weren't doing it all year," linebacker Brian Simmons said. "That's the confusing part of this year."

Even the public address announcer was confused as Luchey led Cincinnati back.

Luchey, who hadn't carried the ball all season, scored on a 1-yard run with 10:42 to play. The extra point was blocked, leaving it tied at 13.

Quarterback Aaron Brooks tripped and fell as he dropped to pass on the Saints' next play, and Toby Gowin's 27-yard punt gave the Bengals their chance.

With the public address announcer mispronouncing his name after each carry, Luchey (it's LOO-chee, not loo-SHAY) ran eight times for 52 yards and caught one pass on the winning drive.

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound running back finished with 59 yards on 12 carries, and did an impromptu Ickey Shuffle (named after former Bengals running back Ickey Woods) after his second career touchdown put the Bengals ahead.

Coach Jim Haslett said the Saints, who had only one timeout left, let Luchey score on the final run so they'd have a chance to get the ball back.

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