Under Dennis Allen, the Saints have built their identity around a swarming defense. In Week 1, they lived up to that billing holding the Titans to just 15 points. While the offense struggled to find a rhythm, they managed just enough to close out when it mattered. Without overreacting too much, there is still plenty to take away from the Saints opener.
What Needs to Improve After Saints Week 1 Win
Stellar Secondary
Without a doubt, the Saints have created the strength of their team in the secondary. Against the Titans, the entire group showed out. Marshon Lattimore blanketed DeAndre Hopkins for the majority of the game. Paulson Adebo held his own, matching up on both Treylon Burks as well as Hopkins on occasion. Perhaps most importantly, Alontae Taylor’s talent was on full display in his first game playing the slot. He wasn’t perfect, getting beat a few times and being overaggressive on a few routes. Overall, though, the Saints had to have been pleased with his overall playmaking ability and tenacity he showed.
Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu did their thing at safety and looked much more comfortable together in year two together. Mathieu started slowly last season but looks dialed in from the get-go this season. His leadership will also be key in such a young secondary.
Week 1 put on display not only the top-end ability but also the depth of this unit. With guys like Isaac Yiadom making plays at corner, the Saints appear to have built a unit capable of withstanding any potential injury issues without a drastic drop-off.
Winning the Turnover Battle
While the pass defense was stout over the course of last season, they still struggled mightily to generate turnovers. With just seven interceptions, New Orleans ranked second to last among the entire league. If this defense wanted to be great, it would have to be an area of improvement. If Week 1 was any indication, the Saints journey is off to a good start.
With three interceptions, the Saints are nearly halfway to matching last season’s total. Both Lattimore and Adebo made nice plays on ‘jump ball’ situations to bring in interceptions. Safety Marcus Maye had the third on a tip drill pick from Yiadom. Seemingly, it felt like there was even more to be had with a few near-interceptions on dangerous throws from Tannehill. Alontae Taylor nearly jumped a route to get himself one and might have had a pick-six.
Marshon Lattimore: Ballhawk. pic.twitter.com/BE6QH1yVax
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 10, 2023
Of course, after all the preaching the Saints had done on winning the turnover battle, they began the season with a fumble on the opening kick return. Derek Carr’s interception just before half erased a probable three points and wasted one of the defense’s turnovers. Ultimately, the Saints managed to finish in the green in the margin and will look to push their turnover plus-minus over the course of the year.
Run Game Sputters
The Saints came into this game relatively handicapped at running back. With Alvin Kamara suspended and Kendre Miller dealing with injury, depth was obviously thin. The Titans also finished 2022 with the league’s best run defense, and the Saints knew it would be tough sledding trying to establish the run.
Things played out basically as expected. Jamaal Williams managed just 2.5 yards per carry and was never able to create any explosive plays. As a whole, the Saints managed just 69 total rush yards in Week 1. Somewhat surprisingly, there wasn’t much doing with the ‘Taysom Hill package’ either. He had just three carries for four yards and didn’t receive a single first-half touch.
They were operating against a high-quality Titans front, which didn’t let up any breathing room for the run game. Having Kamara and Miller back will diversify the run game, but the Saints have to be focused on maximizing their current capabilities to be a more complementary offense. And if the run blocking can’t improve, it won’t matter who is back there taking carries.
Pass Game Squeaks By
The passing game wasn’t pretty, but Carr and company managed just enough to pull through in the end. After playing just one series together in preseason game action, it likely shouldn’t have been much of a surprise for the Saints passing offense to show some rust in Week 1. But there were certainly positive moments and signs of optimism. Chris Olave looks like he is developing into a true alpha and establishing himself as a star. Michael Thomas made a nice contested catch and looks to bring a much-needed presence back to the group. Rashid Shaheed’s explosiveness may have been the most encouraging sign from this group. His touchdown catch came on a fantastic route, and his pure speed on a go ball helped close out the game.
3rd & 6? We'll take 41 yards to Shaheed
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/9H9hp6wkY3
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 10, 2023
Carr would certainly be the first to say there is plenty of room to improve the passing attack. He had his share of poor throws and generally struggled in the red zone. The interception he had was simply a bad decision and one that can’t happen in these tight games. If Carr and his playmakers continue to gel over time, there is no reason for this passing attack not to be a good-to-great unit.
Penning’s Rough Day
Having a talented group of playmakers is great. A capable quarterback, even better. But none of it matters if protection can’t hold up long enough. While Week 1 was an overall middling day for the Saints offensive linemen, none struggled more than Trevor Penning.
Penning started this game essentially as a glorified rookie, and a raw one at that. Knowingly drafted as a ‘project’ player, Penning missed a ton of valuable development last year due to injury. He didn’t receive a full-time start until Week 18 last season. So, ups and downs are likely to be expected as he continues to refine his technique.
The plays Penning got beat on specifically weren’t much of a surprise either. Arden Key gave Penning extreme trouble on speed rushes, a noted area of struggle for Penning coming in. Eventually, the Saints had to help Penning out with some additional chips, but not before an entirely rough first half. As discussed, there are obviously going to be growing pains with Penning. But for a team that has high expectations, there is limited room for slow progress here.
Penning needs to improve, and improve quickly over the course of the year. It’s not only the fact that his becoming a liability would be a massive detriment to the offense. It’s that if he can play up to his massive potential, he significantly raises the ceiling of this offense.
First #Titans sack for Arden Key, who SMOKED #Saints LT Trevor Penning. pic.twitter.com/yO7ZlugBjK
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) September 10, 2023
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
