In the end it was too little too late. The Saints scored 27 but what will really haunt them is the failure to score from four tries inside the 5 (a couple of those from the 1) before halftime. This game is potentially quite different with that touchdown. Granted, the officiating crew did their part in preventing that from happening. The Saints’ ability to run the football was compromised by going down by so much early. Sean Payton seemed more comfortable spreading his guys out in this matchup and throwing. Result? A 53-18 pass:run ration. Not what we’re looking for there. That said, this should have been enough to win a lot of games with a half competent defense. Below are the grades:
Drew Brees: A- (2.95)
After a disaster of a first half that included his orchestration of a failure to score before halftime, he came out in the second half giving his team every chance at coming back. His missed some throws but seemed to play better after a foot injury that eventually put him in a walking boot post game. Let Brees’s toughness never be questioned. He ended up turning in a very good statline – 34 for 52 for 341 yards, 3 touchdowns and no turnovers. I think there’s some throws he’d like back but overall he was very strong in the second half after being slow to get going. He also had an 11 yard run. I thought about a B+ here but I gave his grade a boost for how well he played through injury. The ultimate competitor.
Tim Hightower: B (2.67)
He ran tough out there again. He’s not the most explosive or elusive but he fights with heart and commitment. Had 54 yards on 13 carries and did ok as a receiver finishing with 3 catches for 31 yards and a drop. His production continues to impress. He had a touchdown run called off for silly reasons but his short yardage attempts didn’t fare that well.
C. J. Spiller: C- (2.00)
Despite extended play, he barely touched the ball. It’s amazing how much he’s used as a decoy. He finished with 2 catches for 16 yards, despite 5 targets. When you’re a running back and you’re in Brees’s offense and you’re only completing 40% of your targets – that’s a problem. He had 2 carries for 2 yards and looks lost running the ball. Also had a kickoff return for 24 hours. Give him credit for coming across the formation to pick up a blitz late to protect Brees from a hit.
Kendall Hunter: C (2.00)
It’s so ridiculous he would come in and get a carry over Spiller, but that’s exactly what happened. It went for 2 yards. So he got the same rushing performance as Spiller on half the carries!
Austin Johnson: C+ (2.22)
Nice to see him back on the field. He was primarily on special teams and the upback on kick returns. He did catch one pass for 6 yards and took a big hit. I would have liked to see him get a carry over Hooman on the goal line. He didn’t do a great job on the blitz pickup that Brees evades but appeared to injure his foot on.
Benjamin Watson: B- (2.76)
A weird game for Watson. The last touchdown drive featured an incredible fourth down catch by the sideline where he took a vicious fall and appeared to be hurt. He then had a few terrible drops. And then finishes the drive with another huge first down and then a touchdown. Before that, mixed results. He finished with 6 catches for 49 yards and the touchdown, but on 12 targets. He was split out wide often in the 5 receiver no back formations. Flagged once for a false start.
Michael Hoomanawanui: D+ (2.03)
Was stuffed on a goal line carry from the 1. Yes, really. I don’t really understand why he plays ahead of Josh Hill. He plays a lot more and contributes very little and his blocking is too frequently suspect. Good head’s up on the short kickoff to field it and return it 16 yards. Seemed responsible along with Hightower for the lone sack.
Josh Hill: C- (2.05)
Ran a handful of routes and played some special teams. Contributed nothing. Didn’t get it done blocking in the red zone as an edge guy.
Brandin Cooks: A- (2.88)
The Lions had a lot of trouble staying with him. Brees looked his way often and he made a lot of plays. He doesn’t get an A because there are still things he can perfect. A lack of problem tackles and general toughness on contested passes. His size will always be a limitation but he doesn’t bring the same physical ability as Snead, for example. None the less, a really solid performance. 10 catches for 124 yards and 1 touchdown. Mostly looked like a disaster as a punt returner.
Marques Colston: B- (2.26)
Finished with 2 catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. A wide open play down the seam and a touchdown where he strolled into the end zone easily. He had two other targets – a dirty helmet to helmet hit by Isa Abdul-Quddus that gave the Saints a first down in the red zone and a drop on a contested ball that was poorly located behind him. A quiet evening, but he made some plays.
Willie Snead: B (2.90)
Did most of his damage on crossing routes and showed good toughness after the catch. Finished with 10 catches for 72 on 12 targets. Was very much a possession receiver in this one. Only gripe is a drop on a 3rd down early in the game that killed early momentum.
Brandon Coleman: D- (2.07)
He played a lot but Brees never looked his way. I was shocked at the red zone slant to Cooks that was broken up – why not run that play to Coleman? He had one target and no catches. He also missed a tackle in punt coverage.
Terron Armstead: A- (2.92)
Did a fantastic job on Ansah. The pass rusher did get a couple big hits on Brees but Armstead largely kept him off. Definitely won that matchup of two elite players facing off. Was flagged once for a false start.
Andrus Peat: C- (2.45)
As the Saints went mostly to passing he was benched in favor of Lelito, presumably because the Saints were more comfortable with Lelito in pass protection. I didn’t see major problems but he certainly didn’t have a great game and the line play appeared better after he left. Seemed to miss a delay blitz that got Brees hit.
Max Unger: B+ (2.83)
He played very well. Ngata is a load to deal with and he was pushed back a few times at the point of attack on the initial snap but recovered well.
Jahri Evans: C+ (2.59)
His run blocking was up and down. His pass protection was very good, save a killer holding call and an inelligle receiver downfield red zone call where a screen play appears to get sniffed out. The latter is not really his fault and could have just as easily been called on Lelito who was right next to him. It was the right call, though.
Zach Strief: A (2.17)
Ran a clinic out there. Outstanding play all day long. I was about to give him an A+ but I saw him miss a switch that would have gotten Brees killed if not for a quick release. Otherwise, his pass blocking was so solid all day long. He gets my player of the game. As much as he’s been criticized this year he dominated in this game. A masterful job of absorbing initial middle pressure before rotating over to seal the edge. His switch offs were impeccable in this game.
Tim Lelito: C+ (2.28)
Was beat by Ansah who got a huge shot and roughing the passer penalty on Brees on the long TD pass to Cooks. I thought his run blocking wasn’t great but his pass blocking overall was good. Got Hightower drilled on a draw play late.
Senio Kelemete: D (1.90)
Unfairly, and I’m sure this is all on the ref, but the one play he’ll be remembered for in this one is the “failure to report” which took a touchdown off the board. The Saints lost by a touchdown, so that hurts badly. The Saints could’ve used a better block from him on the play before and it wouldn’t have come to that.
My Offensive Player of the Game: Zach Strief
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
