* Saints defense saves the day: Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma and company take a bow
* Saints set franchise record with a perfect 8-0 start
* This was the New Orleans Saints style of football: hard fought and never easy.
Carolina Panthers 20 – New Orleans Saints 30
The Carolina Panthers arrived in New Orleans on Sunday riding an 8-game winning streak at the Super Dome and almost made it to yet another victory. Had it not been for some resolute defense and a couple quick runs, the Saints would have kissed their perfect 2009 record goodbye and wondered if they would ever beat the Panthers at home again.
Instead, the Saints got the job done thanks to some impressive performances from a group of lesser-known names to record a 30-20 comeback over the Panthers… but it was a close race.
Gregg Williams solves the problem
The Saints played unusual football with penalties, turnovers, and errors fouling their game and nearly killing them at various stages of the game. The fact that the Saints defense showed up with their A-game helmets while the normally explosive offense dozed through the first half is as much due to Gregg Williams’ aggressive play calls as anything else.
While the D was to blame for DeAngelo Williams’ early 66-yard touchdown run, they solidified the midfield thereafter and forced the Panthers into a series of third-and-long situations that they couldn’t convert. Williams used a lot of blitz packs to unnerve Jake Delhomme on the few occasions he dropped back to pass. This ensured that the Saints had an 8 or 9 man front to stop the repetitive attack from the Panthers.
The Saints should be grateful for the eye-opening contribution of Backup Defensive Tackle Anthony Hargrove, who replaced the injured Sedrick Ellis, who soon found a way to plug holes while making an eye-opening contribution with key tackles, a forced fumble and a touchdown recovery. . . Along with the most recognized starters Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper, Roman Harper, Tracy Porter, Jabari Greer and others, the Saints D proved once again that they are a vastly improved unit from years past with a great chase. of runs and forced turnovers. to keep competitive score.
Brees, Colston and Co. stutter
That the Panthers have been able to put up such an impressive run total is due as much to how often the Saints offense gave up possession as it is to the Panthers’ conservative form. The fact that many key Saints O staff did not make it to this game is at first concerning and, in a way, comforting. If the Saints can pull off a win on a missed pass attack, then it further demonstrates the total team package the Saints can call on this season.
Among the most anonymous and frankly neglected were stalwarts Jeremy Shockey and Marques Colston, who both had disappointing games by their standards. Speaking of which, Drew Brees didn’t look as confident as usual as he threw a poor interception in Colston’s direction, as well as fumbled on a key third down in two red zone drives.
He still had the presence to pick up Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson for deep passes and use Reggie Bush on the ground en route to rack up another 300-plus yard game, but this was far from his prime. That fact alone is encouraging. If the Saints can pull off a win against a tough Panthers team with Brees, Colston and Shockey far from their A game, then it bodes well for our championship prospects.
Pierre Thomas to the rescue
Some of the Saints’ early offensive plays came back to haunt them as they looked to take an early lead. Rather than set up the running game, head coach Sean Payton chose to shoot from the sideline. While this wasn’t an unreasonable strategy given the success the Saints have had so far this season, it left them scrambling to regain the initiative when this tactic didn’t work. It was only through the introduction of Pierre Thomas on a more central turn in the second half that the Saints were able to move the ball more freely and began to wear down the Panthers’ physical defense.
One drive in particular stood out with the Saints taking possession at their own 2-yard line with 11.02 remaining on the clock. Payton used a combination of inside runs by Thomas and Mike Bell, as well as passing the ball to Reggie Bush and Thomas on the floor. 8 consecutive plays resulted from the trio’s employment and in 13 plays the Saints had marched to the Panthers 16 before a dropped pass from Colston had the Saints settling for a John Karney field goal for the go-ahead score.
This was the offensive balance that had been so effective for the Saints all season, but it took until well into the fourth quarter to employ it.
A special commendation should go to another unrecognized unit after this game; Saints’ offensive line. They did a great job protecting Drew Brees who, with the exception of an early forced fumble, had plenty of time to pick his targets. An honorable mention goes to Jermon Bushrod, who kept the mighty Julius Peppers quiet all night. Jermon Bushrod for the Pro Bowl; Is that such an outlandish claim?
The DNA of Champions
Winning and winning ugly is the mark of champions. This wasn’t the best we’ve seen from the Saints, far from it, but it told us a lot about the composition of the team and the depth of quality on the roster. When the A-team made a mistake, the Saints were able to call on some impressive performances from lesser-known stars to get the job done. As Al Davis would say “Just Win Baby”.