The New Orleans Saints completed a triumphant comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, and they couldn't have done it without Jarvis Landry.
In the narrow 27-26 victory, Landry recorded seven catches for 114 yards, a stat line not many expected to start the season.
Fellow wideout Michael Thomas notched two scores and Chris Olave got his first taste of the NFL, but Landry arguably stood out as the biggest difference-maker in the receiver room, playing a crucial role in moving the chains and getting the Saints down the field late in the game.
Remember that New Orleans signed Landry to a short-term contract this offseason that only cost them roughly $6 million. Considering the immediate impact Landry made on Sunday, that's a hell of a deal.
Saints signed Jarvis Landry to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) September 11, 2022
First game with the Saints: 7 catches for 114 yards. Made arguably the play of the game.
What a bargain. pic.twitter.com/ASESLQmL51
Jameis Winston on the hookup to Jarvis Landry on the final drive: "Just big time players making big time plays in big time situations."
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) September 11, 2022
Said it was a matchup they liked and Falcons were playing a 2-man under coverage. "Jarvis got on top of the defender and made a heck of catch."
Jarvis Landry could enjoy a career-best season on the New Orleans Saints
Landry has put together three 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career, but he recently experienced a drop-off in form at Cleveland, posting a career-low 570 yards in 2021.
The 29-year-old wideout recorded just one 100-yard receiving game last year and one 100-yard receiving game the year before that. In 2022, he's already crossed that off the top of his list.
Landry proved to be a very dependable slot guy against the Falcons -- he was targeted the most (9) and he caught the most passes (7).
Michael Thomas may have stole the show with his two pivotal touchdown grabs, yet Landry's consistent impact can't be ignored. The Saints got an absolute bargain of a receiver in Landry, who already looks like a much-needed upgrade from Tre'Quan Smith.
If Landry keeps up the production, he could easily become the most underrated Saints receiver of 2022. As long as Michael Thomas is on the field, Landry should continue getting open looks, and he's surely itching for his first touchdown on the black and gold.
Don't worry about Landry this season -- he's fitting in just fine. The Saints' renovated defense on the other hand...