Saints 2023 Week 2 Recap
Team Stats
(Saints/Panthers)
Final Score: 20-17
First downs: 23-14
3rd down efficiency: 7/16 - 4/14
Total yards: 341 - 239
Red Zone Efficiency: 2/4 - 1/3
Penalties: 3 for 32 yards - 6 for 35 yards
Turnovers: 1- 1
Time of possession: 32:49- 27:11
Not perfect but a tough, gritty and frankly ugly win again for the Saints in yet another offensive struggle and defensive masterclass. Even a first down felt like a win for both of the respective offenses. This game had very similar DNA to last week’s win against the Titans, an ugly Carr interception, inept offense in the fast half, elite play from the Saints defense throughout, with the offense finally showing signs of life in the second half and making just enough plays to win. Let’s dive into the main takeaways.
Takeaways
Offense
I could almost copy and paste my thoughts on the offense from last week here, this game felt very similar in many ways. Protection issues still loom large however, this week it wasn’t just the left side of the line that was guilty of drive killing plays. Ryan Ramczyk and Cesar Ruiz had two brutal beats; Ramczyk lost quickly to a speed rush early in the game. Ruiz got blown up by LB Frankie Luvu, badly to remind you Luvu isn’t a pass rusher he’s an off-ball LB and he drove Ruiz back in very unflattering fashion. Penning overall had his issues but was better this week, especially in the run game, which surprised me last week how poor he was in that area.
Carr struggled mightily in the first half again, he looked even worse than last week. He had yet another head scratching interception where he threw to Chris Olave in triple coverage, the pass was intercepted by former Saints safety Vonn Bell. Red zone woes continued with some of the blame falling at Carr’s door and some again on pass protection. The Saints were 0-2 in the red zone in the first half having to settle for 2 field goals inside the Panthers 10-yard line.
Fortunately, Carr improved in the second half, finding Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for game changing 40+ yard passes. Olave’s catch being an early contender for catch of the year, his right arm was being held (no flag, shock!) then he tipped the ball to himself with his free arm and completed an incredible catch (see below).
CHRIS OLAVE JUST DID THAT.
— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
📺: #NOvsCAR on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/kbNO3IM6TS
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.
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