The Saints defied expectations in Week 1, but the cracks started to show early and often against the Carolina Panthers.
Quarterback Jameis Winston was under constant pressure. The run game was nonexistent and the Saints got pounded 26-7 at Bank of America Stadium.
But there were some bright spots, most notably the work of punter Blake Gillikin, return man Deonte Harris and a defense that bounced back from early struggles to hold the Panthers scoreless throughout much of the second half.
So what happened? Here are my top 3 takeaways from a tough day in Carolina.
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RELENTLESS PRESSURE
After one of the most efficient days you'll ever see in Week 1 where Winston only took 3 hits all day, the Saints QB never could get into a rhythm against Carolina's relentless pass rush.
Whether it was an issue of protection assignments, possibly stemming from coaching absences throughout the week, or an overmatched Saints OL, things just didn't look right from the opening snap. Winston was nearing double-digit QB hits early in the 4th quarter and the Panthers had rolled up 4 sacks. They impacted even more passes, including both of Winston's turnovers where the decisions were more concerning than the result. Both were situations where you just have to live to play another down. Instead the ball was lobbed up for an easy interception.
It was a brutal day statistically (with just 111 passing yards), but maybe even more brutal physically.
The Saints only mustered 65 yards of total offense in the first half. Recievers didn't appear to be creating separation, and Winston rarely had time to find them if they did. It was a frustrating day all around, and the results followed suit.
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New Orleans wasn't able to get on the board until a bizarre Sam Darnold turnover set up the saints deep in Panthers territory, but even that took a nifty third-down scramble to get in.
The offensive line was supposed to be a clear strength of the Saints. When it's not, deficiencies at the skill positions begin to shine through very clearly. New Orleans simply HAS to improve in that regard going forward. Getting Erik McCoy back from injury could help settle things down.
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PAYTON TURNER HAD HIMSELF A DAY
The Saints' first-round rookie didn't see the field against the Packers, but he made his debut in Week 2 and showed some of the abilities that led New Orleans to bet big on his abilities.
He had some rookie moments, including a costly roughing the passer penalty when he went low on Darnold in the first quarter. Later he had a neutral zone infraction to give the Panthers another free first down.
But his pressure was a big part of what helped the Saints defense clamp down in the second half, holding the Panthers at 17 until midway through the fourth quarter and keeping New Orleans' hopes alive.
He and punter Blake Gillikin made sure the Carolina offense had to work for everything down the stretch. On a day with a whole lot of low points, Turner's performance was a clear bright spot.
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WHERE'D THE RUN GAME GO?
A lot of things went poorly for the Saints, but Alvin Kamara specifically didn't look right.
Normally a model of efficiency and consistency, the Saints star back couldn't find an inch of space on the ground. He wasn't much of a threat in the pass game, and made untraditional gaffes in tight spaces. On one third down he stepped out of bounds inches shy of the line to gain when it appeared he could've lowered his shoulder for the sure first down.
He finished with just 5 yards rushing on 8 carries and 25 yards receiving on 4 catches.
Was it a product of missing running backs coach Joel Thomas and run game coordinator Dan Roushar? Was he worn down by the relentless attack and sideline-to-sideline speed by the Panthers defense?
Regardless, the Saints will need to find a way to get their star more involved in the gameplan for things to improve on offense next week and beyond. I'd bet they do, especially once they're able to return the eight coaches that were absent on Sunday in Carolina.
But regardless, it didn't take long to erase many of the positive vibes generated from a dominant performance in the season-opener.
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Follow Jeff Nowak on Twitter @Jeff_Nowak or contact him by email at jeffrey.nowak@audacy.com