Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I break down what went right and what went wrong for the New Orleans Saints! This week, I look at the Saints 24-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
1st Down: Riverboat Gambling Sean Payton
Road game Sean Payton is a fun head coach to watch. The longtime head coach of the Saints went for it on fourth down multiple times on the opening drive. You never see him do that when they play at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and that was a statement saying that they weren’t leaving M&T Bank Stadium without a win.
That fourth quarter performance was another example that this offense is almost unstoppable even without some key cogs along the offensive line like Andrus Peat.
2nd Down: Impressive Opening Drive – Poor Finish
Looking at the opening drive for the Saints, it was one of the best drives the Saints have had in a long time. You had them put together a 15-play drive that ate up ten minutes off the clock. One of my favorite things from last season with the Saints was the fact that they had a ton of these methodical drives that eat up eight or nine minutes on the clock to control the time of possession.
It’s basic football and in the modern world of defense optional football, it’s a beautfiul thing to see executed. If not for the fumble on 4th down deep in enemy territory, the Saints could’ve imposed their will in Baltimore.
3rd Down: Poor Two Minute Defense
Dennis Allen’s defense hasn’t been at the top of the heap this year, but if there’s a stat for two minute defense I’m sure the Saints would be towards the bottom of the rankings. Both halves saw it end with the Ravens putting up 13 points. That’s not how you win ballgames and if not for a missed extra point, they might’ve lost in overtime.
4th Down: Bailed Out by Bad Luck
Speaking of that missed extra point, the Saints were bailed out by one of the most unusual moments in what was a wild game at M&T Bank Stadium. As someone who will never forget John Carney’s missed extra point after the River City Relay, it was amazing to see this go the other way around.
It also made me wonder what would’ve happened to Carney if that happened during the era of social media that we live in. However, I hope that Tucker can flush the commode and not let this affect him as the season progresses.
Extra Point: Stop the Minnesota Miracle Talk
This is definitely sour grapes, but as the Sunday slate of games wrapped up I saw a promo for Sunday Night Football next week showing the Minnesota Miracle. The trailer for it was amazing and undoubtedly got some people hyped up. However, the Saints definitely saw that spot and are looking to silence the talk about that incredible play when they make the trip to US Bank Stadium.
-Clint Domingue