The Saints have been the “Jekyll and Hyde” of the NFL via Week 8, able to wanting nearly as good or dangerous as any workforce within the league. Dr. Jekyll made an look within the workforce’s 38-27 win over the Colts. If that model of the Saints sticks round, the remainder of the NFC South will wish to conceal.
New Orleans posted a season-high 511 yards on offense, and quarterback Derek Carr appeared the perfect he has all season. That was particularly vital as a result of, coming into Sunday’s sport, he was among the many most disappointing free-agency signings of the offseason.
The stress that boiled over within the workforce’s Thursday evening loss to the Jaguars in Week 7 could have been a necessity, permitting the workforce to handle points that have been uncared for for too lengthy.Â
The passing sport was probably the most dynamic it has been all season, and the offense was its most effective within the pink zone, scoring touchdowns on three of its 4 possessions contained in the 20.
Carr completed Sunday’s sport 19-of-27 for 310 yards (11.5 yards per try) and two touchdowns whereas solely being sacked as soon as.Â
Timing points nonetheless exist between Carr and second-year wideout Chris Olave, who had a ball bounce off his helmet on a would-be landing and one other move badly overthrown on consecutive second-half performs. Nevertheless, he nonetheless led the workforce in receptions (5) and targets (9), exhibiting there is a concerted effort to maintain him engaged and get him out of his droop.
When assessing the panorama of the NFC South, the Saints (4-4) could lastly be able to grab the division they have been anticipated to win within the preseason.
They’re tied with the Falcons for first, and Atlanta has an offense with much more points than New Orleans. Quarterback Desmond Ridder was benched for Taylor Heinicke within the workforce’s 28-23 loss to the Titans, and head coach Arthur Smith hasn’t proven something to recommend he is aware of how one can get probably the most out of all of Atlanta’s gifted weapons.
Tampa Bay (3-4), regardless of beating New Orleans 26-9 in Week 4, is fading beneath quarterback Baker Mayfield, wanting extra just like the workforce many anticipated it to be in the beginning of the season throughout its present three-game shedding streak. Carolina (1-6) simply obtained its first win of the yr and will fear about profitable one other one earlier than excited about taking the division.
New Orleans has arguably the perfect protection within the NFC South, definitely the perfect in opposition to the move. Getting into Week 8, solely the Ravens (70.8) allowed a worse passer ranking than the Saints (72.6).
The offense has sufficient expertise, together with utility man Taysom Hill and electrifying speedster Rashid Shaheed, to look nearly as good because it did in opposition to the Colts extra usually going ahead.
Hill continues to be a matchup nightmare for opponents. In Week 8, he led the Saints with 63 dashing yards (together with a 20-yard landing run) and added a 44-yard completion and 14-yard reception.
