By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

October 25, 2009, 3:09PM

We’ve wondered what it would be like when the New Orleans Saints had to come from behind. We found out.

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-Picayune
Scott Shanle’s fumble recovery set up a late first half touchdown for the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints fell down 24-3 against the Miami Dolphins at one point in the first half, but fought back to win 46-34 to remain undefeated at 6-0.

Quarterback Drew Brees threw two first half interceptions, finished with 298 yards passing, two rushing touchdowns and one more passing.

Jeremy Shockey had four catches for 105 yards. Mike Bell ran for 80 yards, all in the second half.

And, Darren Sharper had another interception for a touchdown, his third this season.

Here’s the in-game updates:

FOURTH QUARTER

1:53: Tracy Porter”s 54-yard interception return for a touchdown should just about do it. Incredibly, the Saints lead 46-34 and the Who Dat cheers have broken out at Land Shark Stadium. Saints have outscored Miami 43-10 in the last 28:09 of the game.

3:27: John Carney’s 20-yard field goal extends the Saints’ lead to 40-34. It’s going to be up to the Saints’ defense to close this one out.

8:35: The good news: The Saints have come all the way back to take the lead: 37-34. Brees sneaks in 2nd TD, then dunks ball over the goal post. The bad news: A bad snap on the extra point causes John Carney to shank it wide. It’s only a three-point lead instead of four.

13:23: The Saints answer on a spectacular leaping 10-yard double reverse by Reggie Bush. The score was set up by a 66-yard catch-and-run by Jeremy Shockey. It’s 34-31 Miami, but the Dolphins defense looks very tired.

THIRD QUARTER

0:07: And just like that, Miami regains the momentum. Ricky Williams’ third TD extends Miami lead to 34-24 late in third. Brian Hartline’s 67-yard catch-and-run set up the TD. Hartline beat Tracy Porter in single coverage, slipped Porter’s tackle and dodged Darren Sharper en route to the big gainer. The Dolphins scored just three play after the Saints trimmed the lead to three points.

1:15: Marques Colston’s 10-yard TD catch capped an 82-yard scoring drive by the Saints. It’s 27-24. Somehow the Saints have rallied back into this one.

5:59: The Dolphins had to settle for a field goal after the big fumble recovery. Carpenter’s 33-yarder makes it 27-17.

7:17: Jason Taylor with the sack and strip of Brees. Dolphins have ball deep inside Saints terrority. They’ve now forced four turnovers.

13:56: Huge turnaround. Tracy Porter deflection leads to 42-yard pick six by Darren Sharper. It’s 24-17 now after officials uphold the ruling on the field. The Saints could be back in business.That’s the sixth interception and third one he’s returned for a touchdown this season.

HALFTIME

0:02: BIg turn of events before halftime. The Saints get a big fumble recover by Scott Shanle in the final two minutes then drive down to the Miami red zone. A big pass play to Marques Colston gives them first-and-goal from the Miami 1-foot line with 5 seconds left after an officials’ review reverses the original touchdown call. Sean Payton elects to go for the touchdown instead of trying the field goal and Drew Brees sneaks over the top for the touchdown with 2 seconds left. It’s 24-10 at the half. The Saints have a glimmer of hope.

G. Andrew Boyd/The Times-Picayune
Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are having a lot of trouble against Miami’s defense

8:55: The Dolphins just scored again. It’s 24-3 now and the Saints look like they’ve been hit by a sledgehammer. Ronnie Brown ran threw a Jon Vilma tackle attempt and scored from 8 yards out. The score was set up by an interception by Reggie Torbor at the Miami 19 on the previous Saints’ possession. It was Miami’s second interception of the game. Both turnovers led to touchdowns.

11:25: Dan Carpenter’s 32-yard field goal makes it 17-3 Dolphins. This one is starting to look ugly. The Saints look helpless against Miami’s offense. Dolphins have driven for scores on their past three series.

FIRST QUARTER

0:00 Miami is driving again as the first quarter comes to an end. It’s been a total seal-clubbing so far. Miami has outgained New Orleans 124-27 in total offense and six first downs to one. The Saints are 0-for-4 on third down and have committed four penalties.

4:47: Ricky Williams’ 68-yard touchdown puts the Dolphins on top 14-3. He as untouched on the play. That’s the longest run of the season against the Saints’ defense. The Saints look asleep at the switch. Everyone predicted a trap game and it’s certainly looking that way early for New Orleans. MIami has scored two touchdowns on their past two plays.

5:06: John Carney’s 46-yard field goal cuts the Dolphins’ lead to 7-3. Courtney Roby set up the score with an 87-yard kickoff return. He was tripped up from behind by Vontae Davis at the Miami 16 to save the touchdown. The Saints were forced to settle for a field goal after losing 7 yards in three plays. Carney’s field goal gives him 2,000 career points, making him only the fourth player NFL history to reach the scoring threshold.

7:25: Ricky Williams just took a direct snap from center and scored standing up from the 4 to put MIami on top 7-0. It’s the first time all season the Saints have trailed.

7:37: Really ugly start for the Saints. Three penalties in first five snaps from scimmage on offense, then an interception on snap No. 7. Drew Brees and Devery Henderson had some kind of miscummunication on that play beause Henderson broke in and Brees’ pass went out, to the sideline. Safety Tyrone Culver made the easy interception at the Saints’ 27 and returned it to the 4.

Andrew Boyd/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush warms up before the game against Miami.

11:29: Bad break for the Saints. The instant replay machine “malfunctioned” preventing officials from reviewing NO challenge that Davone Bess dropped an 8-yard pass. It looked like he dropped the pass on the big screen at the stadium. But officials couldn’t review it. Thus Miami gets a first down.

12:36: The Saints’ streak of scoring on their opening drive just ended after five games. Saints had four touchdowns and one field goal on their first possession in their first five games.

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