The New Orleans Saints dominated the Indianapolis Colts in prime-time during their “Monday Night Football” matchup, winning the game with a very lopsided 34-7 final score.
This victory was important for several years, highlighting more than a need to just get-back-on-track after last week’s crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Tough defensive efforts, a solid showing from the special teams units, and a fantastic offensive performance allowed the Saints to show fans something they haven’t seen this season: an all-around team win.
The Good (Great, really): Drew Brees
Let’s just get this out of the way now: Brees eclipsed Peyton’s Manning’s record for career passing touchdowns, and did so in spectacular fashion. En route to that record-breaking play, the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback also completed 29 of his 30 passes, marking a completion percentage of 96.7%; that’s another record broken on the evening.
Brees has been great this year, and he’s now posted back-to-back performances with 300-plus passing yard and four touchdown lobs. The ageless gunslinger is picking up steam at the right time as the Saints move towards the playoffs.
The Bad: Defensive inconsistency
The defense has been plagued by penalties all year, and Monday night was no exception. It was not as bad as it has been in recent weeks, but three penalties for 27 yards still shows the defense needs to clean things up. An ugly holding foul on cornerback Eli Apple on fourth down is glaring. Considering several pieces of their starting front-seven were out with injury, it should be chalked up as a positive that the Saints defense committed only three fouls.
The Saints pass rush was lacking for a second straight week, as New Orleans was only able to record one sack. Much of this can be attributed to a stout Colts offensive line, as well as a makeshift defensive line for the Saints. They clearly miss the production Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins offered, though their replacements held up well in run defense.
The Ugly: More injuries at the worst time
New Orleans went into the season with great depth on both their offensive line as well as their defensive secondary. Now, with injuries to key positions on both of those units, that depth will be tested as the Saints compete for playoff seeding. Rookie safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a concussion on Monday night, and now must pass through the NFL’s concussion protocol before returning to the field.
With safety Vonn Bell already out with a knee injury, it will be interesting to see how the Saints defense is able to cope with that possible loss. The third-stringer, rookie Saquan Hampton, committed an unnecessary pass-interference penalty in the end zone to set up the lone Colts score.
On offense, starting right guard and repeat-Pro Bowler Larry Warford was helped to the locker room with what looked like a serious knee injury. Backups Patrick Omameh and Will Clapp are expected to step in during Warford’s absence, but they’re stretched thin considering left guard Andrus Peat isn’t ready to return yet from a broken arm.
With just two weeks to go until the playoffs, it’s even more critical that the Saints secure a top-two seed and the bye week that comes with it. Their injured teammates might need the extra time to recover.
