The Saints were the underdogs in a Halloween showdown against the Tampa Bay Bucs, but it was the Bucs that looked overmatched.
The Saints finished off the 36-27 win with a sack of Brady, just a few plays after a PJ Williams pick-6 turned a scary proposition into an almost certain win. The Saints leading 29-27, kicked the ball back to Brady with 1:41 and a timeout left. Instead the Saints left with a thrilling victory despite their starting quarterback Jameis Winston leaving in the first half due to injury.
We're betting on Trevor Siemian and PJ Williams getting game balls, just saying.
With that in mind, here are my top 3 takeaways from a win that brings a 5th NFC South title well within reach.
WINNING GAMES IS AN ARTFORM
Jameis Winston left the game with an injury early in the second quarter. Fast forward from that point to the 6-minute mark in the third quarter, and here's how it'd break down:
Points
Saints: 16
Bucs: 0
TOs
Saints: 0
Bucs: 2
15-yard penalties
Saints: 0
Bucs: 3
Winning games in the NFL is incredibly difficult. Even if you're a maestro in that regard, as Tom Brady unquestionably is, it doesn't take much to swing the pendulum the opposite way. Brady fumbled the ball and tossed an interception. Devin White had the horsecollar tackle that injured Winston and another roughing penalty on the next Saints drive. The Bucs also had a silly roughing penalty that negated an interception.
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The Saints play winning football. They run it well. They take care of the football. They force timely interceptions. They make the plays they need to make (even if it's still unclear whether they can kick a medium-distance field goal). That's what happened in Week 8. The Saints had every opportunity to hang their heads, lose their composure, play undisciplined and drop a pivotal NFC South matchup. But it was the Bucs that did that. It was the reigning champions that looked rattled on Halloween at the Caesars Superdome.
There will be challenges ahead if Winston's injury keeps him out for an extended period. But I wouldn't put anything past this team. I've learned that lesson by this point.
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PRACTICE SQUAD CONNECTIONS
The first time Trevor Siemian targeted Garrett Griffin, I was surprised. The second time, it started to make sense.
Then Siemian confidently threw a ball to fullback Alex Armah for a score at the goal line.
On the first drive of the second half, he lofted a ball to Kevin White for a big gain.
So, why does Siemian seem confident throwing to the lesser-used receivers in the Saints' offense? Simple ... that's who he gets to work with throughout the week in practice. Siemian's not getting a ton of work with the 1s, those reps have gone to Winston. It's guys like Armah, Griffin and White that the backup QB has a rapport with, and props to Sean Payton for putting those players around his backup in key situations.
All that said, if Siemian has to make another start next week -- it'll be important to devote reps to getting an advanced level of comfort with Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Adam Trautman and so on. The Bucs defense got its act together and the offense struck back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. But for one week, the practice squad flow was enough to get it done.
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COMPLEMENTARY FOOTBALL IMPORTANT AS EVER
I probably don't need to explain to anyone that this Saints defense is as good as any in the NFL. But that hasn't stopped critics from decrying the lack of wide-open passing concepts and a pared-down attack.
It wasn't only about the trust level in Jameis Winston prior to Week 8, it was also about the coaching staff understanding the team can lean on its defense as its best chance to win as many games as possible in the 2021 season.
That was true before. If Winston misses games, it's a certainty. There will be questions throughout the week of whether Siemian will continue as the starting QB. Taysom Hill has missed back-to-back games with a concussion. Would he be the starter if he's ready to go? How about Ian Book? Whatever happens, the offense needs to complement the defense. It'll be vital to stack first downs, not necessarily strike with big plays. Do the simple things well, the big things will follow.
That's what happened on the drives that sandwiched halftime. The Saints were unable to move the ball the rest of the third quarter. The Bucs took advantage. But the Saints offense rediscovered its rhythm, moved the ball methodically and managed to survive the second-half Bucs onslaught.
The Trevor Siemian offense can only win games, but only if it isn't the reason they lose them. He had a few dangerous moments in this one but didn't get burned. That was the key to the Saints pulling off the upset.
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