Rating: (0 votes - average)

The Saints starters on both sides of the ball made an early impact in Saturday night’s preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

The Saints used the first two possession to jump out to a 10-0 lead before replacements rotated in before the end of the first quarter.

By the start of the third quarter, backups for both teams dominated the lineups. The Saints, however, held on for a 28-13 win to improve to 2-1 in the preseason.

Here are areas that stood out:

BREES MAKES PRESEASON DEBUT

Quarterback Drew Brees saw his first action of the preseason and was highly effective on the team’s opening drive. Brees completed 4 of 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown while leading the Saints on an eight-play, 72-yard drive, which was capped off by a 19-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Michael Thomas.



The Saints quarterback’s four completions were split between Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara.

Brees’ night proved short after the efficient drive, as backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entered the game on the team’s second possession. Brees left the game with a 144.4 passer rating.

STRONG DEFENSIVE SHOWING

The Saints defense closed out training camp with a stout outing against the starting offensive, and it carried over to the first quarter against the Jets.

The Saints held Jets starting quarterback Sam Darnold to 4 of 7 completions for 41 yards, a 74.1 passer rating, on New York’s first three possessions.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore came up big with a strip-fumble recovery on Jets running back Ty Montgomery, and the Saints as a first-team group limited the Jets to 48 total yards in the first quarter.

Through the first half featuring mostly first- and second-team defenders, the Saints limited the Jets to 124 total yards and seven points.

ROTATIONS

Brees wasn’t the only starter to exit after the first drive. Thomas, Kamara and left tackle Terron Armstead were also pulled.

With Latavius Murray not playing, Dwayne Washington replaced Kamara. Keith Kirkwood came in for Thomas, while Michael Ola took over at left tackle for Armstead.

Late in the first quarter, the Saints rotated in Trey Hendrickson at left defensive end in place of Cameron Jordan.

The Saints also featured an all-backup offensive line by the fourth possession with Ola, left guard Nick Easton, center Cameron Tom, right guard Will Clapp and right tackle Patrick Omameh.

If there was anything to glean from Armstead’s short night, it surrounded the drop at left tackle with Ola in the game, as Bridgewater faced immediate pressure. Veteran Marshall Newhouse typically rotated at left tackle during training camp, but he’s missed practice time the past week for undisclosed reasons.

more on NOLA

Halo

Andrew Luck will heal and be ready to play in 2 years and be ready to return to the NFL right when Drew earns his 3rd SB ring and retires!!!!

SmashMouth

KAUFUSI !!!

Halo

Covfefe!

foreverfan

I learned that 31 penalties was the refs showing off.

Cruize

-Brees at 40 is still different level great compared to the rest.
-A Super Bowl contending team and a 4-12 team played tonight.
-Trade Teddy to the Colts.

K Major

Not happening boss. Teddy is on a 1 year contract. Saints wouldn't get much on a one year rental.

Brissett is actually decent at the QB position.

K Major

I learned that the Saints have a legitimate punt/kick returner in Deonte' Harris. Fast, excellent vision and hits the running lanes quickly with authority. Fantastic showing tonight.

He's had a terrific camp.

RailBoss

Harris has that Reggie Bush gear..

hitta

Simply put, we looked really good.