Unofficially halfway through the 2023 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints and a suddenly high-flying offense are tied atop the NFC South at 4-4.
Let that sink in, because despite four losses in five games, a 38-27 victory over the Colts has this team exactly where it needs to be and controlling its own destiny. WWL Radio's Bobby Hebert broke it all down in his postgame rant.
Listen to the full rant from Bobby Hebert in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
"We're playing freaking backup quarterbacks? You should never lose," Hebert said. "You know, you’ve got to win one to win two. You’ve got to win two to win three. So going into the bye week, why can’t we go three straight victories? That’s where we’re at right now with the Saints and, listen, they handled adversity. They weathered the storm.”
The Falcons have lost four of six games after a 2-0 start, going down to the Titans in Week 8, a game started by rookie QB Will Levis. The Bucs have lost three in a row since beating the Saints in Week 4, including a 16-13 loss to the Falcons.
Meanwile, the Saints handled the first backup QB on the docket in Gardner Minshew. Not it's likely they'll see another in rookie Tyson Bagent when the Bears come to town in Week 9. That'll be the case again in Week 10, with Kirk Cousins going down with a significant injury. It'll either be Nick Mullens, currently on IR with a back injury, or another rookie in Jaren Hall.
That's what made Week 8 such a game of importance. A loss could've sent the Saints into a tailspin at 3-5 after starting 2-0. Suddenly, instead, it's back to .500 with everything appearing to be headed in the right direction.
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"It wasn't a must-win mathematically," Hebert said, "but it was a must-win psychologically."
That was clearly visible in the postgame, with Derek Carr in particular stepping to the podium and saying "it feels good to smile" before taking questions. The team maintained that inside the building there was confidence and consistency, but it's clear they heard the noise after a run of lackluster scoring efforts.
There was a ton of yardage to point to, but not enough production in the red zone. Well in Week 8 the Saints cashed in on their first three red zone trips, and punched in another touchdown from the 20-yard line. Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara had a pair of touchdowns each. Rashid Shaheed had his first ever 100-yard receiving game and finished with 199 all-purpose yards.
"If anybody says our offense is boring I’m gonna be like, what the hell are you talking about? You might be frustrated with them and be like, ‘come on!’ But as far as getting first downs or moving the ball and getting yardage," Hebert continues. "Look at us the last three games. you talk about explosiveness? The last three games we’ve had 430 yards, 407 yards and 511 yards total offense. That’s 1,348 yards of total offense over the last three games. What are we the LSU fighting Tigers with Jayden Daniels? We can move it."
The Saints will look to keep their winning ways going when the Bears come to town in Week 9.