After an impressive rebound performance by the New Orleans Saints in their final preseason game of 2026, there were more than a fair share of standouts that deserve recognition.
For the morning after, a few will be highlighted, but the list is extensive. Here are just a few player and team performances that caught eyes and left fans talking after the team’s 27-24 victory over Dallas.
The Run Game
Usually, this list is all about players, but the element of the run game as a whole was a standout. From the offensive line to the team’s stable of running backs, the Saints put together a consistent ground attack that totaled 169 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry and three touchdown runs.
Running back Audric Estime led the way with four carries for 46 rushing yards that was highlighted by a 33-yard gain in the process. Backs Kendre Miller (42 yards), CJ Donaldson (33 yards) and Zamir White (23 yards and a touchdown) also performed well.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler and wide receiver Barion Brown both got in on the fun with a rushing touchdown each.
The hope for the team now is that the unit can get as healthy as possible before the season begins.
Rookie Wide Receivers
The Saints’ trio of rookie wide receivers may have to wait a while before they can all take the field together with Jordyn Tyson recovering from another hamstring injury, but Brown and Bryce Lance look ready to make noise on their own in the meanwhile.
Brown in particular has shown that he can have an impact from a number of areas of the offense and still has yet to return a kickoff, an added duty many expect he will be effective in taking on during the regular season.
DL Jay’Viar Suggs
One of the team’s more unheralded undrafted rookies, defensive lineman Jay’Viar Suggs had a great performance Friday night.
He made an impact as a run-stopper, pass rusher and was constantly getting his hands up in throwing lanes, registering a batted pass on the evening, as well.
K Daniel Carlson
While Irish kicker Charlie Smyth has major developmental upside, if the Saints want to keep developing him a little longer behind the scenes, veteran kicker Daniel Carlson has opened the door for them to do so.
Carlson nailed the 53-yard game-winner, showing the clutch ability and consistency expected from an experienced kicker.
Carlson made the best of his limited opportunity to earn a run at the top placekicker job.
HC Kellen Moore
After last week’s shutout loss raised questions about the team’s discipline, second-year head coach Kellen Moore showed his team could make progress.
The consistency will be under a microscope once the season begins, but Moore showed that he can handle that. The Saints had only four penalties, improved in their red-zone attack and covered well on special teams.
All of those factors show some promise in areas where New Orleans faced some of its biggest questions throughout the offseason. That’s good momentum headed into Week 1.
