The New Orleans Saints[4-4] defeat the Indianapolis Colts[3-5] 38-27. Next week, the Saints host the Chicago Bears while the Colts travel to play the Carolina Panthers.
1st Quarter: Colts Quarterback Gardner Minshew throws a 10-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Saints Quarterback Derek Carr throws an 18-yard touchdown to Running Back Alvin Kamara.
2nd Quarter: Colts Kicker Matt Gay kicks a 20-yard field goal. Derek Carr is strip sacked by Colts Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner and recovered by the Colts at the Saints 30-yard line. Colts Running Back Zack Moss runs in a 1-yard touchdown. Saints athlete Taysom Hill runs in a 20-yard touchdown. Derek Carr throws a 58-yard touchdown to Wide Receiver Rashid Shaheed. Matt Gay kicks a 42-yard field goal. The Saints lead 21-20 at halftime.
3rd Quarter: Gardner Minshew throws an interception to Saints Cornerback Paulson Adebo who gives the Saints the ball at their own 29-yard line. Alvin Kamara runs in a 16-yard touchdown.
4th Quarter: Taysom Hill runs in a 1-yard touchdown. Gardner Minshew throws a 33-yard touchdown to Tight End Andrew Ogletree. Saints Kicker Blake Grupe kicks a 27-yard field goal. The Saints won 38-27.
Saints Notes:
Pass Offense-Awesome game passing. This is what I have been waiting for the entire offseason. It was not perfect but it was good enough to get the win. There is clearly some miscommunication between Derek Carr and Chris Olave because some of the throws or drops between the two of them were horrendous. Maybe they need to practice more individually. Taysom Hill was getting involved in passing with a deep pass that was caught in tight coverage. Only 1 sack was allowed all game. Bravo to the offense. Rashid Shaheed had a monster game with over 150 yards on 3 catches.
Run Offense-This was a Taysom Hill game. While Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams ran well, Taysom had multiple touchdowns and 7 yards per carry. Between the passing and running, this was the best offensive performance all year.
Pass Defense-The pass defense was solid. Not a great performance with a lot of chunk plays let up. They allowed Josh Downs to have 72 yards receiving. The interception was clutch by Paulson Adebo. What was interesting is that Marcus Maye was benched in this game. I have no clue as to why but I can not necessarily say it helped or did not help.
Run Defense-The run defense was not good at all. Maybe the worst I have seen this year. I do not know why the Colts did not lean into the run game more. I had Jonathan Taylor in fantasy and to see him not get no carries in the 4th quarter of a close game is interesting. I mean I am not gonna complain but the Saints really need to address the run defense moving forward.
Play Calling-Best play calls all year long on offense but the defense struggled with their assignments. It was interesting seeing Marcus Maye benched and this could be why the defense played differently. I have no idea what to expect going forward but offensively I hope they keep it up.
-Jordan Burden