{"id":146171,"date":"2023-09-12T12:00:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T16:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=146171"},"modified":"2023-09-11T20:30:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T00:30:06","slug":"saints-week-1-win-derek-carr-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/09\/12\/saints-week-1-win-derek-carr-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Saints Leave Week 1 Win With Serious Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Needs to Improve After Saints Week 1 Win<\/b><\/h2>\n

Stellar Secondary<\/b><\/h3>\n

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\u2019s talent<\/a> was on full display in his first game playing the slot. He wasn\u2019t 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Winning the Turnover Battle<\/b><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

With three interceptions, the Saints are nearly halfway to matching last season\u2019s total. Both Lattimore and Adebo made nice plays on \u2018jump ball\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Marshon Lattimore: Ballhawk. pic.twitter.com\/BE6QH1yVax<\/a><\/p>\n

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 10, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n