Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: Defensive Penalties Cost Saints
Before I go any further, let me say that these did not cost the Saints in the sense of the game, but they very well could have if not for the late rally. One of the biggest perpetrators of this was Brandon Browner. Heading into this game, Browner had the most individual penalties against him. He had several penalties that wound up giving the Giants points at the end of drives. Browner has been nothing but an issue with the Saints secondary since he donned the black and gold. But one play that really could have come back and cost the Saints is the defensive holding by Delvin Breaux when Manning fumbled the ball and the Saints recovered. Just simple things that need to be fixed as soon as possible.
2nd Down: Turn Back the Clock
Today was the end of Daylight Savings Time, and apparently Drew Brees set his internal clock back six years. Brees had one of his best games in recent memory, going 40/50 for 511 yards and 7 touchdowns. After much has been made about the veteran QB’s arm strength and shoulder issues in recent weeks. Perhaps this will silence the doubters once and for all. But give credit to the wideouts, who caught almost everything in sight on Sunday afternoon. The only bad spot in his game was the interception on third down. Brees had tons of real estate to run after avoiding a sack, but opted to throw the ball. But at this point with him, those kind of plays are almost expected for a quarterback like Brees.
3rd Down: Forbath Comes Through
One big problem the Saints have had in recent years is finding a solid kicker who can perform in the clutch. The former Washington Redskin who had only signed with the Saints about two weeks ago, proved that he was worth keeping going a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points and blasting a 50-yarder through the uprights to give the Saints the win. Could Forbath be the answer for this team’s kicking woes? Only time will tell.
4th Down: Can the Saints Keep the Magic Going?
The Saints can keep this magic going, in my estimation. Beating the Giants, who prior to this game led the worst division in the NFC, was a step in the right direction. Now the Saints need to keep stacking wins, and looking at the next three opponents (Redskins, Titans, Texans), the wins are there. It’s all up to the Saints to earn those wins.
-Clint Domingue