By Ross Jackson
If you needed a prove-it game for the New Orleans Saints, you got one.
It was yet another dominating performance, building on their early season momentum. Everyone that wondered whether or not the team was the real deal after their 47-10 routing of the Carolina Panthers may now have their answer. On the road against the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints put up another 40+ point performance, becoming only the eighth team since the NFL merger to do so in each of their two opening games in a season. It is actually the second time the Saints have done this, with the 2009 Super Bowl champion team doing it as well.
While it is far too early to stamp this team’s ticket to their hometown-hosted Super Bowl, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about this team and what they have shown to start the year.
Quarterback Derek Carr was again outstanding. Running back Alvin Kamara added four total touchdowns. The Saints’ defense limited the Cowboys to just 19 points scored after a 33-point opener in Cleveland last week.
It all came together for the Saints on both sides of the ball.
Now, the Saints will certainly have a target on their backs. But the good news for fans is that with another blowout victory, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak still has not had to show everything his scheme has. Buckle up, it’s looking like it will be a fun 2024 season so long as health holds up.
The big plays:
Carr found wide receiver Rashid Shaheed for a 70-yard touchdown on what was a 1-play scoring drive. In back-to-back weeks Shaheed has struck for an early big play.
The quarterback also found Kamata underneath for a 57-yard screen catch and run for one of the back’s four touchdowns in the game.
On defense, cornerback Paulson Adebo rebounded from a couple of penalties and a big missed tackle that turned into a Cowboys score by grabbing his first interception of the season.
The injuries:
Safety Tyrann Mathieu and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. left with injury but returned.
Do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill left with a chest injury in the third quarter and did not return.
Game Balls:
Is it cheap to give Kubiak a game ball for the second week in a row? Who cares? He was again in his bag and still has a lot left up his sleeve.
You don’t score four touchdowns in a game and not get a game ball. Kamara has continued his success against Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, accumulating 180 yards from scrimmage.
Defensive end Carl Granderson netted one and a half sacks in this one. Starting his season out strong.
A Little Bit Of Lagniappe:
Second-year defensive tackle Bryan Bresee notched his first sack of the season, forcing a fumble in the process.
Mathieu grabbed his second takeaway in as many games.
After a light day of production in Week 1, Saints wideout Chris Olave reeled in 81 receiving yards. He and Shaheed combined for 177 receiving yards.
Kicker Blake Grupe missed his first career extra point. The Cowboys pressured the kick and blocked it. Grupe did make his only field goal attempt of the game from 26 yards out.
The Saints’ offensive line was a big topic of conversation coming into this game, and they were fantastic against one of the NFL’s best pass rushing teams. Carr was sacked only once in this matchup and paved the way to 4.9 yards per carry on the ground.
Offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga was questionable to play, but ended up starting and played the entire game until starters were pulled. He did not participate in the team’s final two practices of the week, but still played well. That is rare for a rookie.
The Saints again did not punt until the fourth quarter.
This win ends the Cowboys’ 16-game home win streak that dates back to Week 1 of the 2022 season.
