The offense put up 44 points, rushed for 193 yards, had a quarterback rating of 138.4 and outperformed the mighty Aaron Rodgers for a win. What more couple you possibly ask for? Yes, they left some points out there with drives that stalled, unbelievably, but the Saints offense was mostly firing on all cylinders. Top to bottom this was a masterful performance and the grades are very strong to reflect it. The letter grade is the player’s performance for the game and the GPA is his cumulative grade for the season.
Drew Brees: A+ (2.81) By far his best performance of the year and it was pretty much flawless. He threw it away when there was nothing, he took a sack if he needed to, he threw the deep ball perfectly, and he didn’t turn the ball over. Drew finished 27 or 32 for 311 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He also had a big 6 yard scramble early for a first down. Hard to imagine him playing much better, though the guys around him definitely helped make that happen.
Mark Ingram: A+ (3.33) Like Drew he was pretty much perfect. I can’t think of much I would change if I could. Ingram was stopped on a 4th and 2 carry, but he wasn’t to blame for that. More often than not he was falling forward for extra yardage when he seemed down. He ran with vision, power and speed. With Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas both out he got the bulk of the carries (24 of 31 rushes) so this was his chance to make a statement. That he did. 24 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown. He also had a reception for 3 yards.
Travaris Cadet: B+ (2.43) He was very valuable in the passing game and he was a good change of pace for Ingram. His lone run was actually physical and tough, not necessarily his trademark as more of a finesse back. He had one run for 7 yards and 4 catches for 40 yards. Some good hands and valuable first down receptions when the Saints needed it. He also had a nice blitz pickup.
Erik Lorig: B (3.00) After this game I can confirm he has a pulse and is breathing. I’m glad the Saints stayed patient with him because clearly he was a big asset in this game and hopefully will be as we go further into the season. He was crushing people left and right with devastating lead backs and some great pass protection too. His blocking deserves an A but he hurts his grade with a meaningless fumble late. No hard, no foul, but ball protection the few times you touch it is important to remember. He had 2 carries for 2 yards and a reception for 5 yards.
Austin Johnson: C (2.43) He had 2 carries for 1 yard and was stuffed on a 3rd and inches run. He also picked up a big first down late on a 2 yard reception. He continues to be a 3rd and short specialist of sorts even with Lorig back, though of course his role was significantly diminished and that was the time all year the fullback dive was short of the sticks in short yardge.
Jimmy Graham: B+ (2.71) He was held catchless again in the first half, but he came out with a vengeance in the second half, at times looking compromised but generally back to his old self. He had 5 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. He seemed shy to contact, understandably, but he made the plays when it contact, particularly the touchdown. He did throw a couple of solid blocks on Ingram runs, too.
Ben Watson: B (2.28) No catches but his blocking was outstanding. Further, he comes up with the onsides kick recovery when the Packers were trying to get within a score.
Josh Hill: B (2.81) All this guy does is score touchdowns. His lone catch was a wide open 2 yarder in the end zone. He showed some nice blocking too.
Marques Colston: B- (2.24) A fairly quiet but pretty good day for Colston. He had 4 catches for 49 yards and good effort after the catch. He had one pass broken up in tight coverage, but otherwise he was reliable when Brees looked his way.
Brandin Cooks: A- (2.72) The only gripe is the deep ball he dropped, because otherwise it’s probably a perfect game for him too. And he made up for it right away with a circus juggling act catch. He had 6 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, though 50 came on one play. He also had a motion man handoff sweep which is took 4 yards into the end zone as well. A terrific set of hands are clear despite the deep ball miss.
Kenny Stills: B (2.39) Some of the catches he made were just insane. They reminded me a lot of Lance Moore, actually. He finished with 4 catches for 57 yards, though 45 came on one play. His chemistry with Drew is starting to develop nicely.
Terron Armstead: B+ (2.95) Clay Matthews Jr. is a handful and he held up with class. Armstead is clearly a top level pro at left tackle already. He did give up a coverage sack but his blocking was by and large textbook. His ability to finish the run plays and get physical too is a plus.
Ben Grubbs: A- (2.89) He was flagged once for holding, not that it mattered. Otherwise, I thought he was the best guy on the line today. He pulled, he demolished interior tacklers and his pass protection was very clean. A very solid day for Grubbs.
Tim Lelito: B (2.33) A good day for Lelito. He was blown up on the 3rd and inches FB dive to Austin Johnson and my main complaint is that his snaps seem to float a little, messing with Brees’ timing. Those things aside he did good job filling in. The Saints can feel good about him either short or long germ depending on Jonathan Goodwin’s help.
Jahri Evans: B+ (2.81) He’s baaaaaaack. All he needed was a game at home and facing a talent not named Suh or McCoy. Evans was beaten on a pass rush and saved by Brees’ footwork once. Evans was otherwise running a clinic out there. A very physical and often dominant showing.
Zach Strief: B- (2.72) He was great run blocking but he had his hands full with Julius Peppers in pass blocking. Even so he only gave up a sack but benefited from Brees’ pocket awareness.
My Offensive Player of the Game: Mark Ingram
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