The defense gave up 34 points and folded completely in overtime to secure the loss. This unit is completely snakebitten and can’t get out of it’s own way. If you watched the game and saw Keenan Lewis and Jairus Byrd fight over an interception only to help a batted ball go 61 yards the wrong way for a touchdown, you know what I’m talking about. I’m sure we’ll see that play on a sports blooper show for a long time to come. The Saints were torched by Marcus Mariota, particularly in the second half and in overtime. He’s now the second rookie quarterback in 2015 to come into New Orleans and beat the Saints. Below are the grades:
Cameron Jordan: C+ (2.70)
Was very disruptive and had great pressure early. Give Mariota credit for getting the ball out so fast. Faded down the stretch. Finished with 2 tackles, did an ok job against the run.
Bobby Richardson: C+ (2.54)
Finished with 2 tackles, including a beautiful one right before the missed 55 yard field goal late. Was flagged once for offsides. Did an ok job rushing the passer creating some pressures.
John Jenkins: A (2.63)
Tied for the team lead with 10, yes 10, tackles. One for a loss. Constantly helping his teammates finish plays and eating space, he was a monster against the run. Most of his tackles were near the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Williams: B+ (2.44)
He seemed worn out and tired as the game progressed but like Jenkins he was disruptive. Finished with 6 tackles.
Tyeler Davison: C+ (2.19)
Had one tackle around the line of scrimmage stopping the run. The pass rush was quiet.
Kasim Edebali: C- (2.22)
Had one good pressure not biting on a fake and staying with Mariota to force an incompletion. Also did a bad job of losing containment and turning his back to the play on another. Otherwise a very quiet day.
Obum Gwacham: B- (2.00)
Didn’t play much but had a tackle on special teams and fell on the fumble late in the first half for the defense’s only turnover. Unfortunately rushing the passer yielded nothing.
Tavaris Barnes: C- (1.84)
Limited snaps with no meaningful impact. A common refrain for him.
Stephone Anthony: B (2.67)
He’s starting to grow up and become a real player before our very eyes. He looked fast, engaged, physical and smart. Needs to work on his blitzing. His coverage was victimized at times but it’s so much better than Lofton’s. He had 8 tackles and a defended pass.
David Hawthorne: C+ (2.09)
His big play was the forced fumble where he gets the defense out of a bad position in the red zone. Other than that he missed tackles, was poor in coverage and looked out of place. Ellerbe was missed in this one to be sure. He boosts his grade with the turnover, though. He had 4 tackles.
Michael Mauti: B- (2.73)
This guy has been an interesting find. He certainly has potential. My biggest gripe was the personal foul for a headbutt on the sidelines after a kickoff. Just an incredibly stupid penalty. He had 10 tackles, including special teams. His run defense was hit or miss… on a couple big runs he was blasted out of the play, but he was involved too. Had some nice coverage at times and was unlikely on a tipped ball that fell right to Walker. Was late getting back into coverage on the final touchdown.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar: C- (2.17)
Came in late and got beat on a pass play and whiffed on a tackle. Finished with 2 tackles.
Delvin Breaux: C+ (2.59)
It seems like whenever he gets beat, which is not often at all, it’s for a touchdown. I swear, 40% of the receptions he’s given up have been for touchdowns. Anyway, he had an up and down game because of that. But per usual, his coverage was much more good than bad. Finished with 2 tackles and 2 defended passes.
Brandon Browner: D (1.74)
Sadly this wasn’t his worst game. He saved his two penalties for late when they matter most. And despite being on Dorial Green-Beckham and Delanie Walker for most of the game, guys he should match up ok with, he was largely beaten. Another bad day. Would like to see him benched. He’s hurt this team so much.
Keenan Lewis: C+ (2.40)
He didn’t seem fast trying to chase down Walker on the touchdown, so clearly he’s not 100%. Too bad because he had an easy interception on that play before Byrd came in to pop it out. A quiet day in coverage when he was in… not targeted too much.
Kyle Wilson: D (2.05)
Finished with 2 tackles and was flagged once for roughing the passer. Had a really hard time in coverage.
Jairus Byrd: B+ (2.28)
Actually thought this was a very good game from Byrd. Very helpful in run support, a great last line tackler, quick to the play and making good reads… just horribly unlucky on the tip. He led the team in tackles with 10 and looked steady throughout. Hopefully he’s turning a corner. Wish he got more hands on the ball, though.
Kenny Vaccaro: B (2.85)
Physical and good in pass defense for the most part. A very versatile player. Also finished with 10 tackles. Seemed to hurt his arm at one point but came back in. Also had 10 tackles.
Jamarca Sanford: C (2.22)
Had one special teams tackle but played some in red zone defense as well and did ok.
Kai Forbath: C- (2.22)
He had three kickoffs and the most important one in overtime went for a touchback. Good job there. He was 4 for 4 on extra points and had his potential game winning field goal blocked, mostly due to a bad snap. Still, he could have been the hero for a second straight week and couldn’t come through.
Thomas Morstead: B (2.76)
Interestingly, he was the kickoff man on the Saints’ first three kickoffs. The first went for a touchback, the next two didn’t. After that he was replaced by Forbath on kickoffs. I wonder if his injury flared up or if the Saints decided if he wasn’t getting touchbacks anyway they might as well go with Forbath. He averaged 45.8 yards per punt and had 2 inside the 20. His net was 42.75. Solid day punting. I saw some railed him on twitter for the blocked field goal hold but I felt it was on the snapper.
Marcus Murphy: C (2.22)
Did a decent job on returns but his fumble early killed momentum for the team and let the Titans back in it. He’s got to do a better job with ball security, this is becoming a bad theme for him. He averaged 27.3 on three kickoff returns and 7.0 on 3 punt returns.
T. J. Graham: B (3.00)
The first guy down on almost every kick, his speed is evident. He also showed good hustled, angles to the returner and tackling. Finished with 1 tackle but I was impressed.
Brian Dixon: B- (2.67)
Like Graham, while he did miss one tackle, he was an excellent gunner as well. Fast down the field and disruptive to the returner making a cut. He had one tackle.
Justin Drescher: D (1.92)
I could be wrong but I believe this will be his last game as a Saint. The Saints tried out snappers a couple weeks ago, unhappy with his recent struggles, and his poor snap on the potential game winning field goal caused it to be blocked. Too bad, he had a good run.
My defensive player of the game: John Jenkins
My special teams player of the game: T. J. Graham
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