The New Orleans Saints went into Week 17 looking to lock up the number two playoff seed. The Saints went on the road to challenge a familiar foe. Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers awaited in the divisional matchup. These Panthers were not playing for a playoff spot but divisional pride. This could cause divisional matchups to be closer than expected. New Orleans had many issues with COVID protocols through the week on top of ongoing injuries. This meant the Saints would have to lean on not-called-upon players. Unexpected New Orleans Saints players come up big in Week 17 win.
Unexpected New Orleans Saints Players Shine in Week 17
Going into Week 17, the New Orleans Saints had a shot at the top NFC playoff seed. This caused the Saints to not rest any starters on purpose. Other conditions popped up though. The entire Saints running back corp would have to miss this week’s game. In addition, the Saints would play without the starting and backup safeties. Missing week 17’s game was Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Dwayne Washington, and Michael Burton from the running back group. This hampers an offense already missing Michael Thomas, Josh Hill, Deonte Harris, and Bennie Fowler on offense. Defensively, the Saints were shorthanded as well. The safeties missing the game were D.J. Swearinger and C.J Gardner-Johnson. Marcus Williams is the other safety but was going to miss the game due to injury already.
Unexpected Players on Both Sides of Ball
The New Orleans Saints offense scored a touchdown every quarter in Week 17. Most of these touchdowns were scored by the familiar cast. Jared Cook, Emmanuel Sanders, and Taysom Hill each recorded a touchdown against the Panthers. None of these players had huge games from a yardage standpoint. Ty Montgomery had a 100-yard performance and averaged over five yards per carry filling in at running back.
Montgomery had only appeared in four previous games for the Saints. Injuries have plagued his season but when relied upon, Montgomery stepped up in a late-season game. Marquez Callaway and Austin Carr stepped up for the receiving game. Carr had the other Saints touchdown. Callaway had over 50 yards receiving. The Saints offense had 33 points overall, thanks in part to these players stepping into starting roles.
The Saints defense shined in Week 17, holding Carolina to seven points. Carolina used two quarterbacks in the game due to injuries. Teddy Bridgewater started the game but was relieved by P.J. Walker at times. For the Saints defense, the quarterback did not seem to matter. The Saints defense had five interceptions in the game. Two against Bridgewater and three against Walker. Just as with offense, it was some unexpected names to come up with these big plays. Malcolm Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore getting turnovers will not surprise anyone. The other three were done by Ken Crawley, P.J. Williams, and Grant Haley. Haley had a huge game for the defense. He was credited with six tackles and a quarterback hit on top of his interception. Carl Granderson continued his emergence as well. Even with Trey Hendrickson back off injury for this game, Granderson accounted for two sacks, leading the defense.
Unexpected New Orleans Saints Players Shine
The New Orleans Saints offense and defense showed up big in week 17. The win over the Carolina Panthers clinched the number two NFC seed for the Saints. If any of the aforementioned Saints players can come off Injured Reserve for the playoffs, the Saints will be dangerous going forward. The emergence of unexpected players shows the Saints depth as well. If the Saints are going to make any headway in the playoffs, these players will need to step up and shine if called upon. Having depth at major positions and winning games with little-known players shows that the New Orleans Saints are playoff ready. New Orleans will play Chicago Bears in week one of the NFC playoffs next Sunday, January 10.
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