The Saints couldn’t score enough points and an offense that has struggled seems to have hit rock bottom. In hindsight we should have expected it with Terron Armstead and Jahri Evans both held out with injuries. But an early 7-0 lead, turnovers, and some stops gave us false early hope. Then the offensive line caved in and receivers couldn’t get open. That’s really what this boils down to. The Eagles gave up big plays here and there but made more. The four turnovers by the offense are inexcusable. As bad as they are, and as much as the defense struggles, this team can’t turn the ball over once. Do it 4 times, and you lose 39-17. Get used to it. The play calling deserves some indictment too, though, because the Saints had 96 yards on 21 carries (4.57 per carry) and despite that success they decided to throw the ball 48 times (if you include the 5 sacks). The game was 10-10 in the 3rd quarter so such lack of balance is inexcusable, particularly when your pass protection is a disaster and receivers have little consistency. Below are the grades:
Drew Brees: D+ (2.50) In a lot of ways it’s not fair to blast him too much because he was under constant pressure. He was sacked 5 times. Some of that was terrible line play and some of it was him holding on to the ball too long because no one was open. He’s being dealt a pretty sorry hand here. His best receiver was on the Browns’ practice squad last year and two of his three competent lineman were missing. There’s just no one around him. The big thing that stands out of course is the three turnovers, 2 lost fumbles and the interception. They all set up easy scores for the Eagles, leading to 17 points. And when you lose by 22, well, that’s pretty much what prevents this game from coming down to a final series in the 4th quarter. He finished 26 of 43 which is a low completion % for him (60.5) for 335 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and the 2 fumbles. He padded his stats with some meaningless gains late. Maybe it’s asking too much but he just can’t turn the ball over. I’d rather the team get ultra conservative Carl Smith style, run all day, and just not turn it over. This team is not good enough to absorb even one. Maybe that’s unfair to Drew but that’s the unfortunate current reality.
Mark Ingram: B- (2.54) He had a solid 57 yards on 12 carries. Why he only had 12 carries is beyond me. The Saints should have workhorsed him into the ground. He also had 2 catches for 17 yards. He was steady.
Khiry Robinson: B- (2.47) He had just 5 carries but got 30 yards out of them, plus 2 receptions for 2 yards. Like Ingram he made the most of his little opportunity but the Saints would have been smart to give him more opportunity. I realize they can’t play everyone and Spiller needs more usage after last week, so my main gripe is with the lack of running plays.
C. J. Spiller: D- (2.42) For most of the game he had negative yards both rushing and receiving. He finished with 3 carries for 10 yards and 3 catches for -8 yards. That’s right, 6 touches for 2 yards. The times the Saints tried to get him involved it seemed like Malcolm Jenkins read it perfectly and blew him up in the backfield. One target down the sideline resulted in him being directed out of bounds by his cover man with no flag being thrown. A truly worthless contribution and shame on the Saints for not getting him more involved in space. I’m not failing him because he didn’t make a major mistake and the sample size is too small. But there was certainly nothing positive from him, or close to.
Marques Colston: D (1.87) He had yet another horrible drop on a big 3rd down play to force a punt. That’s been a customary weekly occurrence. Later in the game he seemed to injure his arm being brought to the ground but remains. That decision was really stupid as he barely ran his routes, shied from contact and made a half heated piss poor effort at a couple of Brees throws. He was visibly compromised and eventually pulled. But seriously, when you know you’re that hurt, please get out of the game. It led to another drop. In between he had 3 catches for 36 yards but the bad far outweighed the good again. He’s been a net negative for a while now. And he was in a sling after the game, suggesting he might miss some time.
Brandin Cooks: B- (2.47) He had 5 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets. Before you get too excited about that stat line, his 14 yard score came on the final play of the game in garbage time. So did another catch on that drive. He did finally beat a team deep, smoking both his cover man and Malcolm Jenkins for 46 yards before being run to the sideline. It was an improved game statistically but there was still mixed results. He was targeted on a deep ball in double coverage but had a shot at a reception. That play would have been a tough catch but his lack of size was evident. A bigger elite target high points that ball and might come up with it. Jimmy Graham used to. His chemistry with Brees remains a work in progress, sometimes I wonder if he’s running his routes properly of if Brees just has trouble hitting such a small target. Overall a better showing, though.
Willie Snead: A- (3.07) I eluded to this earlier but he’s once again shown he’s the best receiver on the team. He finished with 6 catches for 141 yards. Some of it was garbage time but a lot of it was at critical times that mattered too. He did have a drop and Brees narrowly missed him in tight coverage at times, but he seems to be getting open and making plays after the catch unlike anyone else on this roster. He’s now the second highest graded player on offense behind Terron Armstead.
Brandon Coleman: D- (2.00) How far has he fallen down the staff’s good graces that he can’t make it on to the field when Colston is playing with one arm? He had one target, and of course it was the interception.
Ben Watson: B (2.40) He finished with 3 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, giving the Saints a nice contribution in the passing game. He did drop a pass, too. His blocking on running plays was a pleasant surprise.
Josh Hill: D (1.73) His lone target was a drop but easily could have been ruled a fumble. His blocking was fine. His miserable season continues.
Michael Hoomanawanaui: D (1.00) He finished with 2 catches for 4 yards and a lost fumble. He played as a jumbo tight end and H-back at times. His blocking was good at times but the turnover is unacceptable.
Andrus Peat: C+ (2.60) Mixed results in his first start. He went for long stretches playing pretty well. Like Strief he gave up pressure but some of it was Brees holding the ball too long and some of it was no clean pocket to step into. I think as fans we should view this as promising. His future is at right tackle (assuming Armstead can ever stay healthy) and he’ll do better there.
Tim Lelito: D (1.73) He left the game and I couldn’t tell if it was due to performance or injury, but he continues to struggle in all areas. It’s been a rough season for him.
Max Unger: B+ (2.60) He’s the only thing this offensive line had going. He was pretty solid, pretty much playing by himself up front.Good run blocking at the second level, good push, and good rotating help in pass pro.
Senio Kelemete: D- (1.78) Fletcher Cox ate him alive. Cox finished with 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and one recovery. That’s a J. J. Watt (or Reggie White) type stat line. Not all of that was on Kelemete, Strief was part of protecting that site, but this was a very poor showing. After a really good first start he’s progressively gotten worse.
Zach Strief: C+ (1.60) You’ll see him give up a sack but again part of it is how poor the interior protection is. There’s no pocket to step into. At times, Strief was pretty solid in protection. He’s really missed a good Jahri Evans the last two weeks.
Mike McGlynn: B- (2.67) He held up pretty well on the final drive that involved a score. Perhaps he should start Thursday?
My Offensive Player of the Game: Willie Snead
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