The New Orleans Saints marched right into victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. This is the first time in 21 years the team won without scoring a touchdown. The team showed resilience going against the Cowboys, who lost their first game of the season.
New Orleans Saints March to Sunday Night Football Victory
The Saints made a statement that they can hold strong to the season while Drew Brees is out recovering from his injury, but there’s still a couple kinks which need to be ironed out. Sean Payton has to figure out how to utilize Teddy Bridgewater. This is an adjusting period for both parties. It is different when Drew Brees, a seasoned elite player, is on the field. On a normal night, on a fourth and one with Brees on the field, Payton can have the confidence to let the play run its course. On the other hand, Bridgewater is new in starting with the Saints. Payton has to be cautious with the play, but with each game, each snap, Bridgewater seems to improve and develop into a leader on the field. He finished the game with a 76.67 percent completion rate, completing 23 out of 30 passes.
The offense had no problem moving the ball, but the team still failed to capitalize, and each time they were on the field, an offensive penalty resulted. The Saints offense received at least five penalties in the first half. For every positive, they worked twice as hard to overcome the negative. Alvin Kamara continued to be unstoppable with his run game depth, and thankfully, Wil Lutz saved the drives in field goal scores. A key lesson for the offense to learn from this game is execution. The unit needs to be able to make a play without it coming back to hurt them.
Defense Wins Big
Defense debuted as a shopper. For years, fans saw the defense lack consistency but Sunday was the exact opposite. Everyone approached the game knowing it would be tough. The Saints were the underdogs, but they were ready for the battle. It was the most physical the defense has played in the season.
Before the game, the Cowboys averaged over 30 points. The Saints defense held them to 10. They demolished the Cowboys rushing yards by closing in on Ezekiel Elliott, allowing him only 35 yards. Vonn Bell caused and recovered an Elliott fumble and Marshon Lattimore stepped up in a big way in his matchup against Amari Cooper. Cooper scored a touchdown at least once in the Cowboys last games. Lattimore silenced Cooper throughout the game.
The key takeaway for the defense is to build. The offense was a juggernaut last season. This season, defense is a powerhouse, as they keep the Saints alive while the offense struggles to regain its identity.
The Saints are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next. Fresh off a victory, the Buccaneers average 30 points offensively and have allowed an average of 29. To add another successful game, the Saints need this dominant defense to show up again Sunday. In the words of Demario Davis, an opportunity is meant to be seized, and they are taking it full force.
