By Ross Jackson
It was reasonable to expect the New Orleans Saints offense to look improved Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Not because the Panthers are a rebuilding team, but because the Saints have made meaningful investments into their offensive scheme. What was not expected was what the team showed in the first half of its Week 1 matchup.
Not only was the Saints’ offense improved, not only was it better, but it looked absolutely fantastic. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s play call sequencing was on point. The execution by the players was clean and precise. The offensive line paved the way for a big start on the ground and more. New Orleans was simply outstanding on offense.
While the focus will be on that side of the ball, the defense held its own as well. The Saints limited Carolina’s offense, taking the ball away twice and giving extra possessions to quarterback Derek Carr and the offense to get in rhythm. New Orleans took advantage of those moments.
A 59-yard touchdown pass from Carr to speedy wideout Rashid Shaheed started the scoring onslaught. It continued with a trio of deep field goals by kicker Blake Grupe (who tied his career long with a 57-yarder) and an outstanding touchdown catch by tight end, and former LSU Tiger, Foster Moreau.
Add in another touchdown snag from a wide-open Juwan Johnson after a big punt return by Shaheed and things were electric.
The Superdome erupted in the Who Dat chant before Johnson’s touchdown grab and the second half is sure to be a party.
Beyond the big highlights lie the finer details of excitement for how things have progressed for New Orleans. Outside zone runs, motion before and at the snap, play action, end arounds, outside tosses on third and short, and aggressive play calling were all hallmarks of the impressive first half for Kubiak and the Saints.
Carolina is not a great team, that is for sure. However, the highlights generated by New Orleans in an exciting first half are just as much about their execution and decision-making, if not more so.
Even looking at the takeaways on defense. Another former LSU Tiger, safety Tyrann Mathieu, came through with a big punch out to force the ball loose, which he himself recovered. Fellow safety Will Harris Jr. secured a diving interception on the opening Panthers possession.
The energy and vibe have been all on high. It does not do much to diminish the Saints’ performance because of the Panthers’ state of being. New Orleans has shown a capacity to hold its own.
They will have bigger tests in the coming weeks. But as they prepare for the second half in a game that they handedly control, there’s only one thing left to do. Laissez les bons temps rouler
At the end of the first half the Saints control the game, 30-3. New Orleans has vastly outproduced Carolina in offensive yardage 229-74, including 161 total yards in the first quarter alone and 109 rushing yards (6.4 per carry) in the first half. Meanwhile Carr already has three touchdown passes. The expectation was that New Orleans would be better, yes. But this is a different ballgame entirely.
