SAINTS WIN! New Saints Coach Kellen Moore was 0-4 and QB Spencer Rattler was 0-10 going into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants and both got their first win as Saints! And the fans got a much needed win and a celebration that followed into the work day Monday.
The Saints beat the Giants 26-14 with a rare win at home in the dome. First the good news. The Saints defense did a much better job tackling and there were a few impressive solo tackles. The Saints have not been finishing tackles. Players would get both arms on a player but not close their arms and the players always “scooted” through the Saints defense. But yesterday was different. And the Saints forced 5 turnovers, including Jordan Howden’s scoop & score. Kamara ran better and Miller was building his resume’. Kool Aid snagged a Jaxon Dart pass out of the air for an interception. On 4th and 5 with about 5:00 left in the game - the Saints went for it and Rattler threw a perfect pass to Shahid for a 1st down. I loved it!
Now, the not-so-good news. There were a few more dropped passes that were well-thrown. Kamara dropped 2 and Johnson dropped a pass that was slightly behind him, but as catchable as a cold in a daycare center.
Grupe missed 2 field goals - one 52 yarder and another from 26 yards and he has missed field goals he used to nail. It seems he has lost his edge and a bit of confidence. It seems to be a head issue and I’m sure the Saints have the resources to help him tackle it. At least, let’s hope so. Late in the game, Granderson was called for roughing the passer after executing a clinic-type tackle while rushing the QB. It was one of those atrocious penalties that officials should be held accountable for and I think the NFL owes it to the fans to be open about the specific penalties given to officials that blow calls. I felt like the official was caught up in the moment of the Giants - a favorite of the NFL because they want teams in major cities to be successful - getting beaten up by the Saints and called the penalty as a favor to the Giants.
Rattler had a good game, but again faltered some in the red zone. Rattler’s long bomb to Shid for a touchdown made up for that, but Rattler needs to get more efficient in the red zone. Between the 20s, Rattler can throw strikes, but in the red zone he is off.
It’s a win and I expect this to be a huge confidence boost to the Saints as they move forward. A couple of the 4 losses by the Saints were games the Saints were close to winning and with the stigma of getting that first win behind them I believe the Saints gain faith in themselves. And they better be good against the Patriots this coming Sunday because the Patriots are coming back strong.
Patriots QB Drake Maye joined the team last year, but in the upset win over the Buffalo Bills Maye looked like an experienced QB. Let’s hope the Pats come into the Caesars Superdome Sunday cocky from their win over the Bills and the Saints get on top of them right away and don’t let
I loved the Saints winning the toss and choosing to receive the ball. I know it’s nice to get the ball first after the half and the Saints didn’t do anything with that opening drive, but I love the mentality of sending the team out their with the confidence that they will get on top first. I hope the lack of productivity in that opening drive Sunday will not discourage Coach Moore from wanting the Saints to get the ball first. I also liked that the first play was NOT Kamara up the middle. Again, the pass was incomplete, but I like the attitude.