It’s official: The wedding night and honeymoon are over for the Saints
The Saints are currently in post-Super Bowl hell.
Every week, their opponent acts is if its their Super Bowl, which means New Orleans will get everyone’s best effort from here on out.
Every week, defensive coordinators want to be the one that comes up with the game plan that beat Sean Payton’s offense.
And that means that every week, teams like the Cardinals have an opportunity to pull off an upset.
In Arizona on Sunday, the Cardinals recovered two fumbles for touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown to shock New Orleans, 30-20. It was exactly the type of defensive effort the Cards needed since they were starting an undrafted rookie quarterback in Max Hall, who made his fair share of mistakes but went on to complete 17-of-27 passes for 168 yards and an interception. He took way too many hits, but he targeted Larry Fitzgerald (7 catches, 93 yards) nine times, spread the ball around effectively and most importantly, he pulled off a win in his first career start.
Not bad for a rookie considering whom his opponent was.
At 3-2, it isn’t time to start making definitive statements about the Saints. But it’s safe to say that this isn’t the same team that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy back in February.
Drew Brees threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, but he was also intercepted three times and has only thrown for over 300 yards once this year (365 vs. the Falcons in Week 3). It doesn’t help that both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas were out again this week and that the Saints couldn’t run the ball, although it may not have mattered today. Arizona’s defense swarmed to the ball and put New Orleans back on its heels for most of the game.
After the Saints lost to the Falcons, everyone figured they would get back on track quickly with the Panthers, Cardinals, Bucs and Browns on their upcoming schedule. But they barely beat the Panthers last Sunday, were soundly beaten today and will face a 3-1 Tampa team brimming with confidence next week. If they’re not careful, the Saints are going to dig themselves a hole heading towards the midway point in the season.
But that’s life for a defending champ. Every week they have a target on their backs.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.
Posted in: NFL
Tags: Anthony Stalter, Arizona Cardinals, Drew Brees, Max Hall, New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush
I dont think they got beat soundly at all.
The entire game was dominated by the Saints.
I’d say luck was what won it for the Cardinals.
1. Two fumbles (by cards) go forward one for a TD and one for 15 yrd gain. Brees threw 1 bad pick the other two where bad bounces of Saints recievers. The fumble which was hit by Jenkins, while out of bounds should have stopped the clock with 48 seconds. Instead they got 24 sec after Larry Fitz grabbed the ball next. Odd call.
Like they say better to be lucky than good.
This week the Saints beat themselves.
What was the deal with the Saints lolly-gagging on their next to the last (Cardinal’s game) possession? And what was the deal with kicking the field goal when you’re in overtime on a 1st and goal (Atlanta game)… This pissed me off worse than anything!!!
seems be a popular way to loose this year.
Bengals, Saints, Titans,
Somehow this year you can all play like the Bears and hope your 3 point lead holds out while you show no ergency or drive and drop pressure and go into the prevent D.
Sad year…