The Saints only scored 13 against the Giants, so this tied the lowest point output all season. But when you consider no touchdown passes, 3 interceptions, the poor performance up front AND the fact that the Saints were playing at home? I’d say this was the worst performance of the season on offense. Unfortunately it came at a critical time. It didn’t help that the Lions shrunk the opportunities by bleeding out the clock with a methodical offense… but that’s how I usually describe the Saints offense – methodical. Not only did the Lions almost completely take away plays down the field – they also did a good job limiting things in front of them too. Their ability to consistently get to Brees led to a dismal afternoon. Below are the grades:
Drew Brees: D+ (3.06) Hard to blame him too much for a lot in this game – he was under constant pressure. I’m surprised he finished this game honestly. A couple of the shots he took were brutal and he did look a little shooken up. He finished 31 of 44 for 326 – which is good – but it’s the 3 interceptions that stand out. Granted one was a forced ball into the end zone on a meaningless final play of the game – but the other two were bad decisions that killed the Saints’ chances. Pushing the ball down the field didn’t work much at all and he had a really hard time getting the ball to his playmaking receivers.
Mark Ingram: B- (2.72) The toe was clearly bothering him, give him credit for gutting it out. His snaps were limited due to the injury but he made the most of his opportunities. 37 yards on 7 carries (5.3 per) and 5 catches for 16 yards. He took some shots, didn’t make a major impact – especially when the Saints decided to abandon the run – but he was one of the few Saints that showed up.
Tim Hightower: C- (2.47) He had 2 carries for 5 yards and 1 catch for 4 yards. Amazing that he only managed 3 touches in a game where Ingram was so banged up. The one touch that stands out, though, is a run stuff on 3rd and 1 where he fails to convert and it leads to a punt. As much as I like him, his short yardage ability hasn’t been good. After the Seahawks game, it was frustrating to see him unable to pick up a first on 3rd and 1 again.
John Kuhn: B+ (2.86) His blocking was fine, per usual, but it was his touches that really benefited the offense. He had an 11 yard reception in the flat that converted a 3rd down, he had a 3rd and 1 carry that went for a 1st down, and he had a carry from the 1 yard line that gave the Saints their only touchdown. Why the Saints wouldn’t give him the ball on every short yardage situation until he’s stopped – I don’t know. On the score, they ran the same exact play from the same wildcat formation as earlier, and the Lions still couldn’t stop it. All three of his touches were in important situations and he came through for the Saints. He always seems to.
Travaris Cadet: B (2.09) Like Ingram, his impact was limited, but it was nice to see him make the most of his touches. He was breaking tackles, showing head’s up play, and giving the Saints good effort after the catch. He had 5 catches for 53 yards. I would say this was his best game of the season.
Coby Fleener: C+ (2.39) His stats were nice, 5 catches for 86 yards, but his inconsistent play remains maddening. He dropped a touchdown pass that was tipped right before the half, but hit him in the hands. He has to come up with that ball. He also dropped a back shoulder throw that was perfect that would’ve been negated anyway. Still, he’s just an unreliable player. Every game you feel like it’s a crapshoot if he comes up with the play or not.
Josh Hill: C (2.59) Left the game with an injury that didn’t look good. I fear that’s it for him this season. He had 1 catch for 3 yards on 2 targets, and really no impact before he left.
John Phillips: C- (1.83) The Saints brought him in for his blocking ability, but I’ve yet to see that really help or stand out.
Brandin Cooks: B (2.83) After going catchless last week, he bounced back and made some plays. Too bad his big reception late was negated by a holding call. He finished with 7 catches for 73 yards and a carry for 4 yards. Overall his contribution was pretty good, but Brees pushed the ball to him unnecessarily twice – once on a deep ball in double coverage where Michael Thomas was wide open, and once on an interception. It did seem like the public outcry led to Brees forcing things that weren’t there.
Michael Thomas: C+ (3.00) “Big Play” Slay is a really good player and I thought he did a fantastic job limiting Thomas’s impact. Just 4 catches for 42 yards on 5 targets. The #1 receiver talk after last week cools down a little. A modest contribution and he was well covered.
Willie Snead, IV: C (2.82) Despite 6 targets, he had just 2 catches for 38 yards. Both of his catches were very contested in traffic and he showed good hands and toughness. Unfortunately, he was blanketed well throughout and didn’t get enough separation to help the offense.
Andrus Peat: C- (2.73) He gave up the lone sack of the game getting beat badly by Devin Taylor. In general he wasn’t as physical as I’ve seen lately. A disappointing showing. While Ziggy Ansah didn’t have sacks, he was a handful for Peat.
Senio Kelemete: D+ (2.58) Two back breaking holding penalties – although I question the first one. He really struggled with push on the interior. His run blocking was spotty and he allowed too much pocket push. Struggled against Robinson and Tyrunn Walker.
Max Unger: C- (2.83) The Saints really never recovered from his poor snap on 3rd and 1 that resulted in intentional grounding and a huge loss. That was on the opening drive. In general, the Lions collapsed the pocket way too often. Ngata was way too disruptive.
Jahri Evans: C- (2.58) A blatant hold on Ngata to prevent a sack resulted in a penalty that negated a long pass to Cooks. Ngata was a handful for him and a constant disrupter in this game. Too many batted balls and pocket push.
Zach Strief: B- (3.08) Was called for holding once himself in an effort to prevent a sack. Had a fantastic edge seal block on Ingram’s 22 yard run. In general I’d say he was by far the best lineman for the Saints on a pretty dismal day. Strief is now the highest graded player this season on offense after Brees’s mistake prone game.
My Offensive Player of the Game: John Kuhn
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
