Saints Show Heart But Fall Short to Panthers, 27-22
Big Easy Believer writer and Big Easy Blitz Podcast Saints Analyst Deuce “The Rev” Windham gives his review and analysis of today’s Saints loss to Carolina, and some final thoughts on what we can expect going forward…….
1st Quarter:
It became very apparent from early on that Luke McCown was going to provide a performance that would cause fans to forget, if even for a second, that Drew Brees was standing on the sidelines unable to play. Sean Payton also seemed to realize this game would require more balance than we had seen so far this year and started the Saints on a series of drives that saw plenty of runs and passes. On the team’s initial drive, the Saints led by McCown managed to march down the field against a stingy Panthers defense until they were forced to settle for a field goal.
Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown (7) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) pressures in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Panthers would trail in the time of possession battle the entire 1st quarter. Â Mark Ingram led the way on the second drive as the team marched 94 yards down the field and Ingram capped it off with a five yard TD run.
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Defensively, the young group only saw the Panthers once during the 1st quarter as the offensive gobbled up 11:55 of the clock. Rob Ryan’s scheme was to play it safe and keep the ball in front of his inexperienced group, but there were some big plays given up early on. One in particular was the 18 yard pass to Ted Ginn, Jr. from Cameron Newton. The unit settled in and forced a punt which ultimately is a win even if you give up a couple of big plays.
2nd Quarter:
It was actually in the 2nd quarter when Ingram managed to scamper into the end zone on his 5 yard TD run, but the drive initially started in the 1st quarter. The offense was a model of efficiency as Coach called probably his most diverse set of play selection so far this year. New Orleans’ second drive wasn’t as pretty as it was in the first. The team’s second, and last, drive in the quarter was plagued by penalties that forced the offense back to a 3rd and 21 that they still almost managed to convert. Ben Watson hauled in a great pass from McCown but ended up just shy of the first down marker.
On defense, the strong first series in the 1st quarter wasn’t replicated for the most part in the 2nd. Riverboat Ron and his coaching staff adjusted well to what Ryan was presenting and managed to march down the field. I stated on The Big Easy Blitz Podcast that in order to shut down Cam Newton, the team would have to employ a QB spy to hover over Cam. Whether they decided to opt in heavy zone use (they did) or use a lot of man to man, I stated Greg Olsen was going to have a very good game against this defense. This certainly held true.
It was Olsen who ultimately put the Panthers into a position to win later on, and it was his play that directly lead to the Panthers tying the game up before halftime. One positive you can take from the defense in the 2nd quarter was it’s goal-line stand that held Carolina to a field goal on their final drive of the half.
Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) tries to run away from the tackle of Carolina Panthers middle linebacker A.J. Klein (56) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
3rd Quarter:
Pigs flew, hell froze over and the Saints won another Super Bowl.
Ok, maybe the latter is a bit of an exaggeration, but they did return a punt for a touchdown thanks to rookie RB Marcus Murphy. Given the depth of the Saints backfield, this is the only place Murphy can really make his mark. He did today.
That 74-yard punt return by Marcus Murphy was the Saints’ first punt return for a TD since W1 of 2011, when Sproles had a 72-yarder vs. GB.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) September 27, 2015
It is also only fair to note that this was much needed by the young back, as he had muffed a punt already this year, and had muffed one right before his return that was called back. Lucky him. The punt return also made up the only points scored for the Saints in the quarter as their only drive resulted in a turnover after a fumble by TE Ben Watson.
Ryan’s unit did well forcing the punt, but allowed a touchdown on the very next Carolina drive. Ginn would catch a monster bomb over the top of Brandon Browner while Olsen would bring in two more receptions, including a touchdown, to help the Panthers take a lead they would never give up.
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While these weren’t necessarily a dagger into the Saint’s back, it showed that this team wasn’t as weak in the receiving corp as was once though when Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the year. It wasn’t all negative, however, as young players continued to show that this past draft class could be one that pays off sooner rather than later. Hau’oli Kikaha recorded a sack, Stephone Anthony had a very solid game in the middle of the field and Murphy of course had his highlight reel punt return.
4th Quarter:
The Saints did finally get back into the end zone thanks to a 2 yard Khiry Robinson TD run and superb passing by McCown. If NFL fans were shown the stat line of this game with the names removed, I’m certain almost all would have said they certainly thought Brees was throwing the passes. Two key passes to Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead kept the drive moving forward, and McCown’s touch pass to C.J. Spiller was one of the prettiest all game.
Many fans already took to social media upset with McCown’s interception that essentially sealed away the game for the rival Panthers. Truthfully, it wasn’t a bad call. We must give credit where it is due. Josh Norman made an incredible play to make that interception, and Cooks had him beat at the point in which McCown released the pass.
Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Saints 27-22 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Some would argue that Colston was wide open on the same play, and they would be right, but the veteran receiver had also dropped two passes on the drive already. It’s understandable why McCown chose to go with his best receiver to win the game. It’s something Drew would most likely have done as well.
Once again, I think we can all agree that this defense, while obviously not having a Top 5 NFL defense type outing, played very well. Yes, they gave up touchdowns and big plays, but they managed to get several stops which gave the offense a chance to strike back. In the end, it wasn’t enough to win the game. Yet, I don’t think Saints fans should be upset with this loss. No one likes their team to lose, but the Panthers are simply a better team.
The Saints showed a lot of heart, but just came up a little short.
It is very possible that they will end up in the postseason this year, something that is becoming a dwindling hope in the minds of Saints fans. The young players did well. Ingram, McCown, Kikaha, Cooks, Breaux, Anthony, and others all had good games. This team has some holes, but there are more positives than negatives when it comes to seeing what’s ahead.
Thanks for reading everyone! As always, I welcome your comments, critiques and all around banter. I’ll be on Big Easy Blitz this Tuesday night as well as Saints Nation’s podcast on Wednesday.
Stay strong Saints fans, and God bless!