Looking back at the New Orleans Saints halfway through the season
By Tony Twillie
Carolina Panthers
In the first game to have more than family attendance in the Superdome, the Saints got to host Teddy Bridgewater in his return to New Orleans with his new team in front of 3,000 Who Dat faithful.
The Panthers haven’t been great this season, but with a new coach, new QB, new defensive leader, and new attitude, they haven’t been a disappointment either. They’ve competed well despite maybe not being as talented as some of their opponents.
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This was a typical divisional battle in the NFC South. It was a back and forth game all through. Bridgewater showed he’d taken his NOLA lessons well, throwing two TDs to DJ Moore in the game, including a long 74-yard effort.
Brees and the Saints offense did what they always do in tough tight games. They manufactured points and gritted it out, and the defense simply held on and played bend don’t break ball.
This game was the Marquez Callaway coming out party. Callaway got top billing with Michael Thomas still being sidelined with an injury and last game’s star Emmanuel Sanders being down with COVID. Callaway had eight catches for 75 yards and helped keep the chains moving.
As often happens in these games, this game was decided by a field goal.
Fortunately for us, it was Wil Lutz putting us ahead with about eight minutes to play. Marcus Davenport came up with a huge sack on a third down just before the two-minute warning forcing a 50-yard FG attempt that was missed.
The Saints walked away with a 27-24 victory.