After seven straight losses, the New Orleans Saints are once again winners. In Week 10, the Saints picked up a big win over a hot Atlanta Falcons team. The 20-17 game came down to the last play, and New Orleans almost choked the game away, but it was ultimately a day of celebration for the Saints.
Any time a team wins, there are overreactions. That’s especially the case when it’s a team’s first win in two months. Let’s take a look at some possible overreactions to Sunday’s win.
3. Marquez Valdes-Scantling will keep the wide receiver room afloat
The Saints wide receiver room has been decimated by injury this season. Rashid Shaheed is out for the year, and Chris Olave and Bub Means are currently on injured reserve. Additionally, Cedrick Wilson Jr. was sidelined on Sunday. Those absences left a lot of people concerned about wide receiver production for New Orleans.
Fortunately, the recently signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling emerged. The veteran wideout was targeted three times, catching all three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Now, the hope is that he’ll be able to consistently produce for New Orleans in the second half of the season.
2. Darren Rizzi should officially be hired as the Saints next coach
Whenever an interim coach gets a big win, the conversation about them becoming the permanent coach officially gets started. On Sunday, that conversation made its way to New Orleans. Darren Rizzi is 1-0, and has the chance to continue building his resume for New Orleans’ offseason coaching search.
Rizzi undoubtedly has the respect and support of the locker room, and he’s not afraid to do things his way, additionally, he hasn’t loss yet as a head coach. However, the Saints will have to conduct a full coaching search after the season to find the best candidate. The best candidate could ultimately be Rizzi.
1. Saints will turn their season around and make playoffs
Sometimes, all it takes is one win to get things going. The win New Orleans got on Sunday could be that one win. With seven games remaining, the Saints still have a shot at making the postseason. It’ll take them being nearly flawless down the stretch of the season, but that’s totally possible if they get in a groove.
Additionally, the Saints don’t have a tough remaining schedule, playing just one team that’s currently over 500— the Washington Commanders. It’s too early for anyone to get their hopes up, but yes, there’s a chance.