When you're considered to be one of the preseason favorites in your conference and appear to have a relatively easy (not that anything ever comes easy in the NFL) schedule to start your season, you'd prefer it not take until the conclusion of the first quarter of said schedule to be able to pencil in a 'W' before the clock strikes zero. Obviously that hasn't been the case for a Saints' team that, in a lot of ways, was 2-1 despite itself, but it sure felt good to experience a win that had quite a bit in common with the casual 49 yard scamper that put an exclamation point on 3-1...
Just as Alvin Kamara never really pulled all that far ahead of the trail of defenders in his wake, it was also all but an inevitability that he was going to run both himself and his team off the field with a comfortable margin of victory. The Saints certainly didn't play a perfect brand of football, as evidenced by the drop-induced field goal fest that was the first half, but they consistently played a step ahead of an opponent that never really seemed capable of catching up. I wouldn't consider yesterday a sign that New Orleans is hitting its stride, as they still made a bunch of inexcusable mistakes. However, I would consider the fact that they put up 33 points during a "meh" offensive performance to be a reminder of exactly how dangerous they can be when they do play complimentary football. The Giants are to scoring 30+ points what the Saints are to pitching a shutout, so Eli Manning and his extremely offensive line are more likely to instill a defense with false confidence than they are to truly help one measure it's effectiveness. That said, with what the likes of Calvin Ridley and Co. were able to do in past weeks, it was still encouraging to see the Saints collect some sacks while making modest the All-World talents of Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham. I consider every year it's own distinct entity in a sport as fickle as professional football. However, with regions of the Who Dat Nation having comforted themselves during yet another slow start by referencing last season's quick turnaround, it bears mentioning that yesterday's effort had some similarities with last year's Week 3 win over the Panthers. Of course, statistically speaking, that road victory was much more desperately needed, but it was also just as dominant as it was flawed. If the Saints can even mildly mimic the success they had in building off this like they did that then great things could be in store for a group that still hasn't proved it's any better than pretty good at this point. -------- Notes: - I'll never understand how Alvin Kamara makes what should be physically impossible feats seem so easy. On his first and third touchdown runs he had the look of someone that was taking a leisurely jog in the park, and on the second he basically defied gravity in keeping his knee off the ground. With Mark Ingram's suspension coming to an end, it's almost scary to think what he might be capable of going against defenses that are made even a half step slower by the amount of options in the Saints' backfield. Though, I'd imagine it's probably something a little like his historically efficient ROTY campaign...
- I don't know how a team that stumbles upon otherworldly offensive talent on an annual basis still can't manage to find themselves someone to safely secure a punt/kick, but it's going to unnecessarily cost them a game sooner rather than later if they don't. For as well in hand as it seemed, that game could very easily been yesterday if not for a fortunate bounce or three...
- Taysom Hill is simply a game-changer. I don't just say that as an empty compliment of a versatile player, but rather as a factual acknowledgment that he has now made a massive impact at a crucial time in two straight games. With the way the Giants moved the ball on their opening drive, who knows how things could have turned out if it was given back to them on a second straight 3-and-out. Sean Payton feeling confident enough one him to call a fairly contested fake on 4th down speaks volumes, never mind him proving that decision to be the right one with a perfect throw on the run.
- Demario Davis looks like a 5th defensive lineman out there whenever they let him loose on the blitz. He's starting to prove as advertised in other aspects of his game, but he's offered a boost to a pass-rush that's getting incrementally better as the season wears on.
- Since Week 1, Marshon Lattimore's name has been heard with a lot less regularity, and silence is what you want out of a kid who can shut up some of the best playmakers in the sport when he's at his best. - Not related to the actual game or anything, but it was cool to Teddy Bridgewater getting a closer look at his future offense. It can be easy to forget that another starting caliber quarterback is on the roster when Drew Brees is cooking and Taysom Hill is doing all that Taysom Hill does, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Sean Payton is slowly simmering the perfect reminder.
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