Crucially Carr and the offense managed to convert both of these big plays into touchdowns in the red zone, both short runs by Tony Jones Jr (his first NFL touchdowns). Jones Jr. filled in amicably as the Saints only active RB* when Jamaal Williams left with a hamstring injury.

        The * above is to highlight; Yes Jones Jr. was technically the only active RB but he didn’t have to carry the load alone. Taysom ‘Mr. Perfect’, ‘the Closer’ Hill was excellent (as he usually is when used correctly) Pete Carmichael got Taysom’s usage pretty spot on apart from taking him of the field on a 3rd and 2 late in the game with Saints around midfield, Carr was sacked on the play. We can only hope that this usage of Taysom continue, there’s no to stop until somebody proves they can stop it consistently.

        Final point of the offense, Mike Thomas single handily kept the offense alive in the first half, catching 7 passes from 9 targets for 55 yards. All the catches were tough, physical contested catches, truly vintage Mike Thomas plays. Highlighted by a 19- yard catch down the right sideline where Thomas secured the catch right on the boundary. One thing is clear for the offense, they’ve done enough in these first two games but the slow starts cannot continue as they killed the Saints last year and will start to this year if not corrected.

Defense

        The defense was excellent again and until the Saints decided to run a soft, prevent style defense late in the game looked all but certain to finish their second straight game without allowing a touchdown.

        They were not helped by the offense or special teams, with both at times leaving the defense with a short field to defend. They responded by holding the Panthers to field goals and forcing a crucial turnover when Carl Granderson hustled to force the ball free from the scrambling Bryce Young with the Panthers threatening inside the Saints 20.

The defensive line was great again against both run and pass, Cam Jordan looked ageless I counted at least 4 pressures, and he should have had a strip sack of his own, but it was called back due to silly defensive hold by Paulson Adebo. All 4 of the defensive interior looked even more dominant this week than last, with the standouts being Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd. Bresee took a soul on the rush where Cam followed up had the forced fumble. 

        The secondary was really good again specifically Marshon Lattimore, he stated after the game that he was not responsible for giving up a single catch and came away with another PBU to add to his tally. Alontae Taylor looks to be taking positive strides in the slot, he’s particularly showed improvement in his open field tackling and is becoming a real force player near in the line of scrimmage for this defense. To add, he nearly had an interception and would of snagged it if not for some all-pro pass defense from Panthers WR Adam Thielen.

Saints Stock Exchange (Sponsored By… Nobody)
        Just a quick hit section each week to highlight which Saints players have their stock value increasing and decreasing after each game, 3 up and 3 down:

Stock up

Taysom Hill 

Cam Jordan

Chris Olave

        Hill needs no explanation the Panthers couldn’t stop him. Jordan looked brilliant against run and pass and gave RT Taylor Moton (who’s a highly paid tackle) the business, especially with power. Final up for me, is Chris Olave his spectacular catch changed the game for the Saints and looks like a superstar in the making, Pete just needs to make sure he’s involved much earlier going forward.

Stock Down

Cesar Ruiz

Paulson Adebo

Lou Hedley

        It may be harsh to have Ruiz here, but after receiving a new deal you can’t get blown up by an off-ball LB who you have about an 80 pound weight advantage over. Adebo was guilty of 2 of the Saints 3 penalties, the DPI late in the game was soft but the defensive hold that wiped out the Bresee and Jordan strip sack was not soft it was a clear hold and wiped of a huge play that could have changed the game. The Saints would have had 1st and 10 at the Panthers 14, instead the Saints offense ended up starting on their own 3 after a punt (an 83-yard swing in field position) these kinds of penalties have plagued Adebo so far and can’t continue to happen at crucial moments.

        After being an honorable mention in the up section last week, Hedley had a rough week. He gifted the Panthers a short field after a poor 29-yard punt, which the Panthers ended up turning into 3 points. He also punted a 49 yarder into the end zone for a touchback giving the Panthers much better field position than they should have had, which they again turned into 3 points. There was always going to be growing pains for the former Aussie rules player but in games like this you cannot have your punter costing you points.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @SaintsReportUK, for much more Saints content and discussion throughout the 2023 season and beyond.