Observations Saints at Bengals
 

The New Orleans Saints are on a roll right now, and the Cincinnati Bengals became the latest victim on Sunday.

The Saints beat the Bengals, 51-14, at Paul Brown Stadium. New Orleans is now on an eight-game winning streak, and this was their biggest margin of victory this season.

Sunday’s win also gave the Saints (8-1) a two-game lead in the NFC South after the Panthers (6-3) lost to the Steelers on Thursday.

All of the Saints offensive stars had excellent performances. Drew Brees was 22 of 26 for 265 yards with four total touchdowns and a 147.6 passer rating. Mark Ingram had 104 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards and a touchdown. Alvin Kamara had 56 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Michael Thomas had eight catches for 70 yards and touchdowns.

Many Saints players also showed love to Dez Bryant, the former Cowboys star who signed with the team Wednesday and then tore his Achilles tendon at practice Friday. Ingram, Kamara and Thomas each celebrated a touchdown by throwing up the X as Bryant used to, and Saints defensive players did that after an interception by Marcus Williams.

What went right: Just about everything. The Saints had an incredible performance, probably their best of the season.

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Everything worked on offense in the first half as the Saints scored touchdowns on all five of their possessions. In the first half alone, the Saints gained 311 yards and 21 first downs, and they converted all six of their third downs.

The offense slowed down a bit in the second half, but the game was already in hand. The Saints finished with 509 yards in the game.

Defensively, the only issue in the first half came early as the Bengals drove to a touchdown on their opening drive. The Saints defense was stingy after that and made two interceptions, including one by Williams in the second quarter that set up that fifth first-half touchdown.

Wil Lutz continued his great season as he hit all three of his field goals as well as six extra points.

What went wrong: Terron Armstead suffered a shoulder injury. In terms of the actual game play, nothing went wrong. The Saints dominated.

Player of the game: Brees

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Injuries: Armstead (shoulder) exited in the second quarter and did not return. Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (concussion) was ruled out in the third quarter.

In case you missed it: Brees moved into second place on the career passing touchdowns list. He entered the game with 506, and with three more, he passed Brett Favre at 508. Peyton Manning holds the record with 539.

NOLA

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

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Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

Best team in NFL. In spite of our defense. Which just matched up pretty well with a decent offense. I want to see more of Kirkwood.

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

You will win a ton of games with a dominant O line.

Saints are dominant up front. Warford, Peat, Armstead, Unger, Ramz, Hill ... these guys are winning and consistently beating the man in front of them.

Keep the momentum going.

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

I hope Armstead is okay.

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

Defense played pretty well with the sacks and INTs. Offense and O Line on another planet. Special teams were solid. Complete game. Coleman's dork up on the QB run for the touchdown proves Coleman don't need to be on the field unless we're up by 30 or more...not impressed at all with him this year.

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

We spread the ball around more today than in any game before this season. I hope that trend continues because that will prevent teams from focusing only on Thomas, not that that helps but still...

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

Couple names of players I noticed in today's win;

Obviously the norms of Brees, Thomas, Kamara, Ingram and the entire O line.

Dan Arnold - Like the prospect of his size and speed.
Keith Kirkwood - Nice debut by him.
Anzalone - made several huge plays, especially blitzing.

Marcus Williams - I got on him for not having a good year so far and then he gets the big INT and sets the offense up in great position.

Sheldon Rankins - Man, every week he makes a guard or two look very foolish.

Re: Observations Saints at Bengals
 

Dang right. Anzelone & Rankins played well today.