Saints Report # 3

In a game memorable only for a sack that was the turning point for the sacked team, the New Orleans Saints slogged their way to a 20 – 9 Superdome victory, their 9^th straight home win. To a relieved who dat nation, the Saints restored their relevance by scoring 3 touchdowns, while allowing 3 field goals.

So, what does the 32 team NFL look like (besides a PR nightmare) after 3 weeks?

One team in the AFC is 3 – 0, the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the NFC team, 2 teams are 3 – 0, the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles.

There are 3 teams that are winless, not surprisingly the Jaguars, Bucs, and the Raiders.

The other 26 teams are either 2 – 1 or 1 – 2 (like the Saints.)

So, the league has come back to the slow-starting Saints.

Sunday the Saints red zone defense was improved, as they turned threats into harmless field goals, although they gave up huge chunks of passing yardage on occasion.    When Vikings QB Matt Cassell broke his foot, rookie Teddy Bridgewater’s NFL career began.  Naturally he looked all-world at times against the Saints, but the Saints showed him their “bend but not break” defense, you know, the one they used last year.  The star on defense was Curtis Lofton who at times appeared to be reading the Vikings playbook.

The Saints started crisply on offense as their first two drives resulted in touchdowns.  Brees was efficient, and the running game was clicking behind Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas.  Then suddenly, the offense got a case of the “punts.”  As the 4^th quarter began, the Saints clung to a modest 13 – 9 lead, With the pressure ratcheted up on Brees, the play of the game came when the Vikings’ Captain Munnerlyn slammed Brees to the turf on a 3^rd down sack, drawing a personal foul penalty and a rare display of emotion from Brees.  What would have ended the drive restarted it, and the Saints 90 yard drive put the game away.

Stars on offense?  Start with Brandin Cooks, who made several difficult catches, and is playing like a 3^rd year receiver.  His chemistry with Brees is already evident.  Brees spread it around to his receiving corps, as usual, including touchdown passes to Josh Hill and Marques Colston, his 56^th TD as a Saint. 

Next up is a trip to Dallas to play the NFL’s most unpredictable team.  Which Tony Romo will show up?  Do the Saints have anyone that can remotely come close to covering Dez Bryant?  Will the offense come close to its 40 first down performance of last year?  Will Jerry Jones have any more pictures released?

Stay tuned.