Deke: A much-needed win for the Saints!
by Deke Bellavia
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posted Oct 8 2012 4:49AM
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The New Orleans Saints needed a win in the worst way, and they finally got one.
The Saints used every bit of energy and got record-breaking performances from Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Devery Henderson…and, it was all needed in the Black and Gold’s 31-24 win over the San Diego Chargers.
New Orleans once again gave up a lot of yards, but a win is a win, and the Saints certainly got what they needed. It was a night of records: Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas’s touchdown record, Marques Colston broke Joe Horn’s Saints TD record, and Colston and Henderson became the first two players in franchise history to have at least eight receptions and 120 yards in a single game.
The biggest thing we saw in the Saints’ win over the Chargers was the play of the Saints defense. New Orleans put more pressure on the opposing quarterback. The Saints got a season-high five sacks against the Chargers after having just six total sacks in the previous four games combined. The Saints also finished the game plus-one in the turnover battle.
Yes, New Orleans once again gave up more than 400 yards of total offense, but the Saints clamped down on the Chargers in the second half of the game. For the second straight week, the Saints defense played a long stretch in which they did not give up points. Last week the Saints only allowed seven points in the final 34-plus minutes of the game. This week the Saints did not allow a point in the final 27:34 of the game.
So now the Saints will have two weeks to iron out more kinks, get players some rest, and begin to prepare for the first meeting of the season with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Are the Saints going to make a run? Will the Saints defense continue to improve? All the questions will be answered beginning with the Tampa Game. But as for now, the Saints got a much needed win.
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