NFL teams have preseason mantras every year, but it's all about what happens when the real games start.
The Saints preached takeaways all offseason, and in a Week 1 victory over the Titans, that's what happened with New Orleans defenders picking off three Ryan Tannehill passes in a game the Saints took down 16-15.
“That has been the theme for this team not only in the spring but this training camp, was being able to come up with interceptions," said WWL color analyst Deuce McAllister. "So to have that many today … it’s impressive. So they have to continue to build on it.”
The interceptions were pulled down by Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Maye and Paulson Adebo, but DBs up and down the roster made plays when called upon. Maye's pick came on a tip from Isaac Yiadom, who entered the game to spell Lattimore. There was another near pick by Ugo Amadi when he was in for an injured Alontae Taylor.
It all boils down to a team that did something it failed to do all too often last season: Play winning football. It wasn't always pretty, but when the game was there to be had, they took it. Last year it was often given away.
Related
“It’s a win," McAllister continues. "It’s a victory, and sometimes you have to learn how to win, you have to learn how to be successful and the Saints were successful today.”
Listen to the full postgame analysis from Deuce McAllister in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.