Saints 31, Chargers 24
Saints Finally Get That 'W'
It was an emotional roller coaster yesterday, filled with a high energy level. Everyone knew what was at stake, either sink to 0-5 with the Browns, or get the first win of the season. Payton, Vitt, & Loomis all showed up to support Brees & the Saints, as they took on the Bolts.
Perhaps overshadowing, but worth pointing out, Marques Colston set the Saints All-Time Touchdown Receiving Record, which was previously held by Joe Horn, last night. Colston had an ‘on-fire’ performance again, which has seemed to be a common theme this season. We know the big thing was the record setting Touchdown from Brees to Henderson in ‘Brees like’ fashion, breaking Johnny Unitas’ 52 year old record.
Brees makes history, yet again, at home!
The Defense Showed Up In the Clutch
Junior Gallette & Martez Wilson. Huge sacks at huge points in the game. We have seen all year that we are right there in terms of pressure, and used to seeing QBs stretch the play. While Rivers did some of this last night, it all boiled down to how they finished. Roman Harper had an interception a play after Gallette sacked Rivers for an 8 yard loss, which lead to a Garrett Hartley field goal. Then, on the final drive, Rivers was sacked by Martez Wilson, and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Wilson. The defense had 5 sacks on the night (Smith, Gallette, Lofton, Wilson, Jordan). Improvements week over week are occuring, though the Saints surrendered over 400 yards of offense. Corey White was a victim to Rivers last night, as he was beat quite a few times, filling in for the hurt Jabari Greer. In my Keys to the Game, I alluded to three key areas we had to win at.....control Robert Meachem's homecoming, make Rivers turn it over, and the last was control Antonio Gates - I’d also like to say that (knock on wood), this is another game where the Saints defense has not been torched by a Tight End. Antonio Gates was held in check with 3-19 on the night, and Did You Know they ranked 2nd against the TE going into last nights game? It’s slightly impressive considering we faced Fred Davis, Greg Olsen, Tony Moeaki, & Jermichael Finley. Just sayin.
Junior Gallette & Martez Wilson. Huge sacks at huge points in the game. We have seen all year that we are right there in terms of pressure, and used to seeing QBs stretch the play. While Rivers did some of this last night, it all boiled down to how they finished. Roman Harper had an interception a play after Gallette sacked Rivers for an 8 yard loss, which lead to a Garrett Hartley field goal. Then, on the final drive, Rivers was sacked by Martez Wilson, and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Wilson. The defense had 5 sacks on the night (Smith, Gallette, Lofton, Wilson, Jordan). Improvements week over week are occuring, though the Saints surrendered over 400 yards of offense. Corey White was a victim to Rivers last night, as he was beat quite a few times, filling in for the hurt Jabari Greer. In my Keys to the Game, I alluded to three key areas we had to win at.....control Robert Meachem's homecoming, make Rivers turn it over, and the last was control Antonio Gates - I’d also like to say that (knock on wood), this is another game where the Saints defense has not been torched by a Tight End. Antonio Gates was held in check with 3-19 on the night, and Did You Know they ranked 2nd against the TE going into last nights game? It’s slightly impressive considering we faced Fred Davis, Greg Olsen, Tony Moeaki, & Jermichael Finley. Just sayin.
Huge Props for the sealing sack & fumble recovery
Penalty to Chargers Proves Costly
Rewind to the 3rd Quarter. Brees is pressured, and throws a pass that ended up being picked off by Quentin Jammer. However, Melvin Ingram was called for a Personal Foul, roughing the passer penalty. It was a ‘blow the head’ type penalty, and this caused the drive to extend for the Saints, and 5 plays later….Brees connected with Marques Colston for a 16 yard Touchdown. The key play on that drive was the 36 yard PT Screen (love that play!!!)
Rewind to the 3rd Quarter. Brees is pressured, and throws a pass that ended up being picked off by Quentin Jammer. However, Melvin Ingram was called for a Personal Foul, roughing the passer penalty. It was a ‘blow the head’ type penalty, and this caused the drive to extend for the Saints, and 5 plays later….Brees connected with Marques Colston for a 16 yard Touchdown. The key play on that drive was the 36 yard PT Screen (love that play!!!)
Yup, still a penalty.
Jimmy Graham’s Grit
Jimmy Graham was not a factor in terms of stats last night, he only caught one ball for four yards. This was largely in part because he rolled his ankle on that catch. However, he came back in, and played through the pain, and even though he didn’t make anything show up on the stats, he kept the Chargers defense honest, and they still had to account for him.
Jimmy Graham was not a factor in terms of stats last night, he only caught one ball for four yards. This was largely in part because he rolled his ankle on that catch. However, he came back in, and played through the pain, and even though he didn’t make anything show up on the stats, he kept the Chargers defense honest, and they still had to account for him.
We can only hope this isn't a 'troublesome' injury
Greg Camarillo – Unsung Hero?
Maybe this is a stretch here, but I know Brees spread the ball around a great deal (not like that’s uncommon), but with Lance Moore being out, and Graham ailing, someone had to step up. Devery & Colston both had over 100 Yard performances, but right after that? Greg Camarillo caught 4 balls for 44 yards. It wasn’t a flashy stat performance, but he kept some drives alive, and had some pretty sure handed grabs. I’d be interested to see his ongoing role in this offense. We saw Roby & Morgan in on the night in formations, but they did not register any catches.
Maybe this is a stretch here, but I know Brees spread the ball around a great deal (not like that’s uncommon), but with Lance Moore being out, and Graham ailing, someone had to step up. Devery & Colston both had over 100 Yard performances, but right after that? Greg Camarillo caught 4 balls for 44 yards. It wasn’t a flashy stat performance, but he kept some drives alive, and had some pretty sure handed grabs. I’d be interested to see his ongoing role in this offense. We saw Roby & Morgan in on the night in formations, but they did not register any catches.
It finally feels great to write about the win, and not dissect the reasons we lost. It was a sigh of relief after picking up a win last night. It may just be the ‘spark’ needed to fuel this team further. Wehave a week to rest, which comes at the best time possible with a host of players banged up: Moore, Graham, Greer, Hawthorne, McBride, Cadet, & Casillas. We move to Tampa in Week 7 to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, no easy feat because it’s an NFC South matchup, but again, one game at a time. We’ll need that ‘W’ for certain.
No comments:
Post a Comment