Well, the benefit of the New Orleans Saints playing early in the morning is that the game was finished by lunchtime. Unfortunately, Saints fans weren't all that cheery though considering the team lost and looked pretty damn sloppy in this matchup.
New Orleans gifted Minnesota that 28-25 win in London by playing lousy special teams, turning the ball over, and getting flags thrown their way constantly. Yes, some of those flags were BS but the Saints still don't have anyone to blame but themselves for the way this game went down. The turnovers gave the Vikings six points and poor special teams play allowed the Vikings to score another three points. That's a nine-point swing right there, folks.
Fake punt takes live line from Vikings -2.5 to Vikings -5.5. Saints have had a special teams disaster today.
— Bet.NOLA.com (@bet_nola) October 2, 2022
Anyway, with this game in the rearview mirror, let's check out the winners and losers from Week 4.
Winners
Latavius Murray
Welcome back, Murray! After spending a chunk of time away from the organization, Latavius Murray rejoined the Saints and was activated to the main roster once it was revealed that Alvin Kamara wouldn't be able to play.
Murray rewarded the Saints for bringing him back by dashing for 57 yards on 11 carries and bulldozing his way into the end zone. He looked like the Latavius Murray we all used to know and love during his Saints tenure.
#Saints keep feeding Latavius Murray. Working so far.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) October 2, 2022
Chris Olave
One thing was evident from this game and that's that Chris Olave is a full-fledged star in the making. The Ohio State product hauled in four catches for 67 yards and scored the first touchdown of his NFL career. Every catch Olave made on Sunday was as clutch as they come and it's good to see the first-round pick proving that he belongs.
Olave knows how to play. Teammates said he was a "vet" in training camp, and he hasn't looked like much less than that this season
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) October 2, 2022
Offensive Line
After some rough performances, the Saints offensive line stood out in a positive way during this game. They opened up running lanes for both Murray and Mark Ingram and protected Andy Dalton pretty well. Dalton was sacked twice but the Vikings were going to get home eventually.
This was especially impressive for the o-line considering that Calvin Throckmorton was in for the injured Andrus Peat. They would have had an excuse to be even worse than normal but they played well so they get major props here.
Tre'Quan Smith sighting. The offensive line has been outstanding this drive.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) October 2, 2022
Demario Davis
I don't have to say much because we all know how good Demario Davis is. The dude was just flying all over the field on Sunday and finished the game with nine tackles (tied for second on the team) and one sack. He continues to be elite at his position.
Demario Davis came FLYING in there
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 2, 2022
Wil Lutz
After a horrible game last week in Carolina, Wil Lutz bounced back in a big way this week. Yes, I know he double-doinked that last field goal attempt but c'mon... It was 61 yards out. It was crazy to see him make the 60-yarder just moments before to tie the game and he came SO close to tying things at the end of regulation. He makes the winner's column this week.
WIL LUTZ FROM 60!!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 2, 2022
Losers
Deonte Harty
After the Saints defense had gotten off the field, the good guys were getting the football back when Deonte Harty fumbled the return and the Vikings got the ball right back. This led to Minnesota kicking a field goal and well -- You do the math. Without this turnover, this game is very different.
Saints can’t escape their problems no matter how far they travel. This time Deonte Harty has the ball stripped away at the end of a punt return.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 2, 2022
Special Teams
Aside from Lutz and Blake Gillikin, it was a bad day at the office for the Saints special teams. I already mentioned the brutal Harty fumble but the special teams also gave up massive returns to the Vikings and because of their incompetence, it led to the Vikings executing a fake punt against them. They probably aren't attempting that if the NOLA special teams actually shows that they're decent.
On the same day the special teams has been horrible Wil Lutz hits a 60-yarder. That's wild.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) October 2, 2022
Dennis Allen
Another loss, another week of people questioning if Dennis Allen is the right man to lead this organization. The Saints are 1-3 and they've been playing very sloppy football through four weeks. They're honestly lucky to be 1-3 considering how bad they looked in Week 1 and fans aren't going to give Allen the benefit of the doubt if the mistakes don't get cleaned up.
This was a game that the Saints could have won but mistakes cost them. Allen has to coach this team better if they want to win another game this season.