The New Orleans Saints were once again unprepared and were shut out of the first quarter for the fifth time. However, they would come to life at the end of the second and most of the third quarters. Tied at halftime, they managed to look like a different team in the third quarter as they beat the New York Giants, 34-27.
It was another frustrating beginning to a game, with several people telling me after the first 15 minutes that they think Kellen Moore shouldn't make it past this week. It's the fifth time in six games that they've laid an egg in the first quarter, which is no way to have a meaningful season. Fortunately, this time they managed to wake up, as the Saints started to produce with a few minutes left in the second quarter.
It was such a quick change in momentum that some fans must have gotten whiplash, since the Giants turned it over on a kickoff near the end of the first half. Immediately putting the Saints just outside the redzone with a little over a minute to go in the second quarter. From there, they'd score a touchdown (Bryce Lances' first) to bring the score to an even 10-10.
The Saints were like a different team in the third quarter
In the second half, the Saints truly came out of the gate running, scoring in just five plays on the opening drive of the third quarter. It was a kind of drive that the Who Dat Nation has been waiting for all season. Leaning on the run and featuring multiple looks, the Saints offense looked like the stuff the fans have been wanting since Kellen Moore was hired.
That first drive of the second half would give the Saints the lead. Not punting once in the third quarter, the Saints were up by three scores heading into the fourth. Unfortunately, the team got a bit ahead of themselves late in the game and nearly lost that lead in the fourth quarter.
Up 34-10 with just under 10 minutes to go, Kellen Moore would pull the starters. But it was just too early to do so, and CJ Donaldson would fumble the ball, handing the momentum back to the Giants, who went on to score 17 unanswered points with their backup quarterback, JJ McCarthy. The Saints have to be grateful for the three-score lead, because they nearly lost the game without it.
They're set to fly to Paris later this evening for their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be Moore's first international game as the head coach in New Orleans, and it should be a fun one if this week's performance is any indication.
Add us as a preferred source on Google