NEW ORLEANS — No one should take away from the Saints’ Week 1 performance when they crushed the Panthers. It’s a win in the NFL, and more importantly, a win in the division. Scoring 47 points in a game is no easy feat. Did you know that was the most points this team has scored in a regular season opening game since the 2009 season? As far as anyone can remember, that year was special.
While the carry is irrelevant, it’s worth noting that the Saints scored 48 points against the Falcons in last season’s finale. We were told all along that this version of the offense would end up being more in line with what we can expect from Klint Kubiak, and it delivered on that promise. Strength and productivity in the run game with plenty of pre-snap movement and other classics we saw in the offseason were on full display Sunday. Alvin Kamara and the team’s best weapons were properly utilized. It was a refreshing experience, to say the least. They scored on their first nine possessions, and it’s hard to remember the last time that actually happened.
“We knew we were a good football team this season,” Derek Carr told FOX’s Jennifer Hale after the game. He later said in his postgame press conference, “Hopefully the fans saw what it can be.” Carr also praised the defense for its ability to give them shorter fields and said how nice it was to not start every attack from their own 20-yard line.
New Orleans gave up less than 200 yards defensively, the Panthers managed just 1 of 10 3rd downs and 3 turnovers and 4 sacks. Alontae Taylor became the first Saints defensive back to record three sacks in a game. Blake Grupe made all four of his field goals. Rashid Shaheed had some nice runbacks, including a punt return that he came close to. Everything was in harmony on Sunday. It was the harmony I spoke of when I said what needs to happen for them to get back to the postseason. It wasn’t a complete game, but it was a great start.
Let’s be honest. The Saints were the clear favorites for this game and they delivered. However, they are not too excited. Several players said after the game that it was only a week and even Dennis Allen said he was focused on keeping the players grounded. The mood after the game was good but not overly crazy.
Whether anyone wanted to say it or not, the focus will quickly turn to the Cowboys in Arlington next Sunday. That’s where we’ll learn more about who this Saints team is. They’ve beaten up the weaker teams in the past, but haven’t been able to keep up with the stronger teams. If they want to be different this season, they’ll have to show that their first appearance was no fluke.
They’ll be dealing with injuries this week. Marshon Lattimore had to leave the game with a hamstring injury, but talked about it in the locker room afterward. Foster Moreau seemed OK after a bad head injury. Willie Gay Jr. had to leave early, and it’s unclear if that’s related to the back injury that kept him on the schedule all week. We also don’t know where Lucas Patrick will be, who has a toe injury. There will be adversity all year, and that’s another hurdle the Saints will have to overcome.
Whatever euphemism you want to use for the Saints game in Week 2, it’s probably correct. It’s the barometer. It’s the litmus test. It’s the temperature gauge. New Orleans has a lot of work to do and the bottom line is they know it. If they can beat Dallas, more people will believe this team means business. Until then, New Orleans is 1-0 and has won a game they really should win, but they did it in a very convincing way that raises a lot of questions we still want to see answered.
