Game 14 Rapid Reaction: Bucs @ Saints

Saints 41, Bucs 0

Saints Rebound, Dominate, Earn First Shutout Since 1995

Finally, the Saints were able to snap the 3-game losing streak, and did so in impressive fashion, dominating the Bucs, winning 41-0. The Saints had not shutout an opponent since 1995, which came at on the road against the Jets 12-0. This, however, was not the largest shutout in Saints history, as in 1988 the Saints blanked the Broncos 42-0. Just about everything went right on the day. If you'd like to re-live that Broncos thrashing, do so here.

Those pads. Eric Martin, blast from the past.

Chris Jim Everett was QB in 1995, if you can remember that.

Saints Defense Peaks
The Saints Defense arguably had their most dominant game of the season, forcing 5 turnovers (4INT, 1 Fumble), sacking Freeman twice, and allowing 386 yards of total offense. Doug Martin was shutdown, getting 9 carries for only 18 yards, and Vincent Jackson was nowhere close to his last outing production (6-81) on the day. The defense got sacks from Will Smith & Cam Jordan, interceptions from Abdul-Quddus, Faux Reggie Bush (Rafael), and two from Jabari Greer, and a fumble recovery from Cam Jordan. The Bucs were turned away on 13 drives, producing no points. Even at the end of the game, instead of opting for a Field Goal attempt, they were kept out of the end zone. This type of showing means a lot for the next year. We have many questions surrounding UFAs, and how Mickey Loomis is planning to attack.  I won’t get into that on this blog, gotta have SOME material for the offseason….however, this squad CONTINUES to get better, and that’s what everyone should ultimately notice. Everyone calling for Spagnoulo’s head during the first part of the season, where are you now?

Was everyone else thinking Darren Sharper was lining up as safety?

Brees Is Nearly Flawless
No question about it that Drew Brees had the most pressure on him going into this game, as he had thrown all of those interceptions in the 3-game losing streak. What did he do to respond? 26/39, 307 Yards, 4TD, ZERO picks, and a 124.6 Rating. This time of performances reminds us (especially the cynical thinking we should bench him) that Brees is elite, and can take over a game completely.  Brees opened the TD frenzy by connecting on a 9-yard pass to David Thomas, two in the 2nd Quarter to Sproles (2 Yards) & Lance Moore (7 Yards), and then a 3rd Quarter 34-yard bomb to Joseph Morgan.  Brees took a seat shortly after, as his day was over.

Brees dominated on the day, not turning it over once

Ingram Breaks Out, Again
This type of game should give everyone a different feeling about Mark Ingram, if you did not already feel good about acquiring him in the draft. Ingram nearly gained 100 yards on the day, finishing with 14 carries for 90 yards, scoring an 11-yard TD, and broke a long run of 31 on the day. Ingram’s performance help fuel the Saints with 149 yards on the ground, averaging 6.0 yards/carry.

Ingram put up a huge effort on the day.

The Saints improve to 6-8 on the year, and while the playoffs scenarios mathematically have them alive, but most assuredly out, we still continue to play as if there is still something to play for, which is vintage Brees and company, they just won’t quit, even if ‘fans’ want to. It has us all scratching our head in the end, saying that ‘what if’ they just beat one of the those teams in the 3 games losing streak, and ‘what if’ we didn’t drop those first 4 games of the season. We now turn our attention to the one game we personally would love to win, being a potential spoiler, facing the Cowboys in Dallas.