Sean Payton was quick to point out that Taysom Hill's performance wasn't perfect, but in the end the Saints starting quarterback did enough, again, and the defense clamped down for a result that kept the Saints' postseason hopes alive.
It was another turnover free day, with a bit of help from a defender's less-than-ready hands, and another well-executed gameplan in an 18-10 victory that moves the Saints to 8-8 with one game left to play.
“It was kind of up-and-down at times and yet he led us on some key drives," Payton said of his quarterback. "He missed a throw or two I’m sure he’d want back, but again it’s another win under his belt.”
And say what you want about Hill's potential as a starting quarterback long-term, but this team's turnaround has come since he took the job in a Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the final loss of a five-game streak that saw the Saints' record drop from 2-5 to 5-7 following a season-ending injury to Jameis Winston. The Saints picked up wins over the Jets, Bucs and now the Panthers, with a loss to the Dolphins baked in as the roster was ravaged by COVID absences.
With a clear focus on ball-security and field position, a complementary offense has teed up a talented defense to record a series of dominant performances despite a meager offensive output. The Saints didn't score a touchdown for 11 consecutive quarters, but won two of the three games in that stretch. After lobbing four interceptions in that Cowboys loss, Hill hasn't turned the ball over in his next three starts, and the defense has responded with an average of 6.3 points allowed per game.
The next step is a trip to Atlanta, where the Saints are well aware another must-win game awaits. With a 9-8 finish, the team will still need help. But all they can do is get to that number and see where the chips fall.
"It was the message leading into this week, actually," Payton said. "This is a must-win game. We’ve got to find a way to get to 9-8 and then kinda go from there."
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STATUS OF ERIK MCCOY AND MARCUS WILLIAMS?
The status of center Erik McCoy and Marcus Williams was a point of some confusion, which Payton cleared up after the post-game. Players can't be activated from the COVID list on a Sunday, so the team decided to sacrifice two potential call-up spots so the two could play if they tested out of the NFL's protocol.
It was an understandably confusing, yet savvy way to approach the weekend, even with the team knowing it was unlikely they logged the negative tests necessary after testing positive late in the week. Will Clapp took over at center, while the Saints used a combination of players to cover the free safety's absence.
ON CAM JORDAN'S PERFORMANCE
The Saints' coach isn't a fan of "ever" questions when it comes to Cam Jordan. He's been doing it at a high level for so long, it's hard to find a "best ever" type moment.
But even with that caveat, his performance in Week 17 stood out. He logged 3.5 sacks, furthering his dynamo run since being forced to miss the first game of his NFL career in Week 14.
He's logged multiple sacks each of the past three weeks, and reached 10-plus sacks for the sixth time in his career. That number has him tied for the most in franchise history with Saints great Rickey Jackson.
"He’s certainly playing awfully well and it’s been important to how we play defensively, it’s important to how we play as a team," Payton said. "So it’s impressive.”
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A 'FRUSTRATED' RUN GAME
Payton admits he went into halftime a bit frustrated with the state of the Saints' run game. It was never going to be simple with a patchwork offensive line, but the Saints kept the commitment on the ground and things began to open up in the second half. Alvin Kamara's 30-yard run set up the team's lone touchdown to help seal the win.
"I’m sure there’s going to be a lot we look at that we have to clean up, and I’m sure there’s some guys in there right now maybe getting more playing time than they’re used to," Payton said. "But I still think the ability to be two-dimensional as opposed to one-dimensional is important, especially as you’re paying attention to the game that we were just playing.”