Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Good win on the road.

2-0 Baby!

Revenge win from last year puts the Saints in an enviable position atop the NFC South. Good defense and stout run defense game .

Let's enjoy this for a day or two.

Who Dat!

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Apart from the last drive, the defense was excellent.

My only gripe is Adebo needs to stop holding. He wiped away a massive sack fumble by Brian Bresee because he grabbed the receiver.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I thought Sinner had a brain aneurysm and died after watching that last Panthers drive and subsequent 2 point conversion. Luckily he responded on the thread so I know he’s alive still.

Pretty obvious we need more Taysom in games too. Maybe he can spell the offensive lineman occasionally too.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Seems to be trend with Adebo …

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

10 years since we were last 2-0 !

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

NegaSaints fans need not apply to enjoy this win !

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

The way I look at it we are in a 3-way tie for 3rd place in the division. I posted before the game that I would not be some '2-0 baby!' optimist if we didn't beat the Panthers by the 14 points Atlanta did or better, after the Panthers lost 2 starters during the week. Well, the Panther's lost a 3rd key starter in the game and we beat them by only 3.

If you look at the 3-way tie in our division, we have had the easiest schedule of the 3 teams so far based on 2022 record. Our opponents had a combined 14 wins in 2022, Atlanta's had 15, Tampa's had 16. Between that and the much closer game against the same opponent, we are clearly positioned behind Atlanta and Tampa in our performance so far this season.

We do not need to use more Taysom Hill going forward. This game was typical. Hill is good against bad teams with bad run defenses so he makes plays early against those teams, gets more plays later, racks up stats, and so 'when we use him enough, he is effective.' But if play SF or Philly or Dallas etc and we just keep handing the ball to Hill, we will get shut out unless our defense scores.

Carolina is an incredibly bad team. They could go 0-17. They look like one of the weakest teams on our schedule.

Shaheed and Olave are great. Thomas is a quality WR3. We didn't use TEs or RBs much in our passing game, maybe they were all too busy helping Penning. It takes a village to raise a child.

Grupe is great.

Our defense is very good but I think there are better defenses in the NFL, or perhaps defenses in the NFL that benefit from breathing more between possessions.

I will be surprised if we win more than 1 of the next 3 games. At this point I think all 3 have looked better than us so far this season. We will see. We play the Packers next. We played a team Atlanta beat by 14 and came out ahead by 3, now we play a team Atlanta could only beat by 1. If we are better than Atlanta now is the time to prove it. We didn't prove it this week.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I agree with most of what you said. But I like Hill. If we were playing such a bad run defense why couldn’t our backs get something going? Hill has a place in the offense and is effective at making defenses guess.

I’m not saying use him exclusively. Hell no. But he got going later in the second half and was effective at moving the chains.

Anyway, I wasn’t super impressed with that win. Of course I’m glad we got the W, but I was hoping for a more decisive victory. Lol.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Opps up pops Ain’tNOFan 😱

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Comparing scores like that never works out the way you expect them to. Football games are complicated. I just don't agree with your take. The offense is still figuring itself out. It's shown it's capable of moving the ball, but just not driving up the scoreboard. There are communication issues with receivers that will be sorted out and cut down the sacks and eventually, we are going to start taking more shots down the field. We'll eventually start to click. The offense has high-octane potential, it's just not there yet, give it time.

Also, we were basically up by 11 then gave away a free TD going into super prevent mode.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I think some of the defensive leaders might have a say about the defensive called late in the 4th qtr that really skewed the D’s stats.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I have an aneurysm every week … low dose aspirin makes it bearable.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Can we all agree that Bakosaint needs to find another team?

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I can get the criticisms of the offense even though I don't agree with what he's saying. I think we're going to have a great offense once we figure things out. What makes me scratch my head is his criticism of our defense.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

I laid it out before the game even started that I thought Carolina was a very bad team with a lot of injuries and that I would not be impressed unless we matched or bettered Atlanta's feat of beating them by 14. When others were doubting we would win at all, I reiterated I still thought we would probably win, but I was not happy winning a close game against one of the weakest teams on our easy schedule. Then we won a close game and I said I wasn't impressed. How can I be more consistent here? If we win at all next week I will be impressed because we play a decent team, though if our division rivals continue to win more impressively I will admit it.

We are paying Carr a lot of money and our oline is struggling with everyone healthy and active. It's not a great situation. I don't have your rose glasses. Could the offense all come together? Sure. But so could Carolinas, and Atlanta's could improve more, as could Tampa's. We are spending more 2024 money than any team in the league. Sorry if I am not impressed by beating two sub-.500 caliber teams by a combined 4 points and only being ahead of one team in our division.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

* Pass pro is still a work in progress. I will say it looked a little better but there is room for improvement and we need to cut down on the sacks.

* Some really rough running stats for Tony Jones averaging below 3 yards per rush. Seemed like he kept missing the few holes that were actually there. Really hard-nosed running from him around the goallline, great job making the two scores.

* Our big three at the WR position is the best thing on this offence so far. 17 of the 21 catches among them.

* Thomas keeps picking up the tough yards underneath with 7 catches. Just ultra physical.

* Olave. Smooth.

* Shaheed. Man I love the speed. During the season his speed will open more and more things up underneath.

* Good to see a Foster Moreau sighting early on. Seemed like we didn't use the TEs a lot in this game.

* Granderson! Great energy and push off of the line. Huge strip sack for us.

* Felt like I saw a lot more of Pete Werner today.


Overall a slighltly sloppy win. I would have loved for us to score a couple more but its a win in the division and that is the most important thing. I'll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Not once in that game did I ever feel like Carolina ever was a true threat to us. If things went right we could replay the game and win by 3 TDs or more. We aren't clicking yet. It is early in the season and we are making mistakes we won't be making later, that is what kept the score close. Scores can be deceiving. BTW I respect your opinion and to me, you are fine here. I just think you are wrong and a bit cynical.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Thanks. I didn't feel Carolina was a threat to us either. They are garbage. Chicago may be drafting Caleb Williams with Carolina's 1st round pick. Arizona has looked better than Carolina. I was worried we, not Carolina, were a threat to us. Like maybe Penning or friends would whiff a block and get Carr killed, or Carr would randomly decide to throw a pick 6 directly to Carolina, or Bryce Young would get a 99 yard TD run while our entire defense threw themselves to the ground put their hands in the air begging for no flag, as must have somehow been emphasized in practice.

I do feel like teams like SF, Dallas, and Philly would be a mortal threat to our QBs life. Its an odd twist in this season that we don't play these teams in the regular season that we would have to beat in the playoffs. The NFC has 4 of the top 7 defenses in the NFL by one rankings I saw, but we don't play any of them. New England is the top D we play, and that will be interesting.

I don't know what to make of our driving but not scoring. It could be that we are close to getting it together on offense. It could also be that if these lesser defenses can shut us down in the red zone, better defenses will be getting safeties off us. We obviously have A LOT more talent at WR than oline even with our RB and TE all helping the oline at the expense of not helping the WR's. When Kamara returns he may need to work closely with Trequan Smith to hone his blocking skills. In that way our offense is very unbalanced. If the oline gets it together WITHOUT so much help it could turn things around for us. But our oline is as healthy as it had been in years now, so I don't know if they will turn it around or revert to the mean on injuries.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

-Divisional road win..
-Defense is the truth.
-Hill energizes the offense. A true difference maker.
-Groupe perfect.
-Thomas, Olave and Shaheed are play makers.
-Carr is struggling at best.
-Oline struggling in pass protection.
-Play calling is lacking all the way around.
-TE Johnson has been surprisingly invisible.
-Jones stepped up.
-Kamara just being on the field is needed.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Another win..yaaay

O-Line - 4 sacks, two weeks in a row. I am not sure out of those 4 sacks if Carr could have done more to avoid the sacks.

Grupe - so far so perfect

Hill - doing what Hill does

Carr - I am still on the fence. To me, after GB if we still have Offensive issues I will be more concerned

WR corp - excellent targets for a veteran QB

Defense - Stellar, except last drive and that might have been bad scheme calling

Playcalling - very lethargic, need to light a creative fire under Pete's a$$

Kamara - we miss him

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Offense is too conservative. We need to create one on one match ups with our receivers and take shots down the field. Olave, Shaheed, and Thomas can all win one on one down the field. We’ve seen it everytime they tried it this season. At the least we can draw a PI. We have to put these defenses on their heels in order to work underneath like we want to. Jameis Winston was throwing a million picks but he was also throwing for 500 yards before he got here. He gets in Pete’s offense and he’s throwing 150 yards. It’s the style and philosophy of Pete’s system. He is the problem.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Won another ugly game and I'm thankful for that. Defense looks good per usual. Saunders and Breese are both physically impressive. Offensive line and the run game needs to get it going to open things up.

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

"Dennis Allen’s New Orleans Saints defense just broke one of the best records in team history, established by the famed “Dome Patrol” themselves way back in 1991 — holding opposing offenses to 20 or fewer points in 10 consecutive games. It’s the longest active streak in the NFL, too."

One caveat: The Dome Patrol did it in a single season. DA's Saints did it over the tail end of last season into this one.

Say what you like about the struggles on Offense... That Defense tho! Straight fire! Even the Nega-Saints have to give them their props! :bng:

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Re: Observations from the Saints Win vs Panthers
 

Seriously salient points made here. A TRUE FAN calls it like he sees it. Only a blind fan or rose colored glasses fan can’t see it.