Canal Street Chronicles
If we’re being honest, there was nothing really good about this one. The New Orleans Saints got blown out 44-13 by the Seattle Seahawks and it felt like a lot more. If anything was “good” per say then I would have to pick the run defense. The Seahawks ran 33 times for just 87 yards, and while Kenneth Walker III did find the end zone twice, the longest run the Saints gave up all day was just 10 yards. The Seahawks ran the ball most of the 2nd half as they already had a 30+ point lead, and the Saints actually managed to outscore them in the 2nd half 7-6. They forced two three and outs and forced a fumble on backup RB George Holani in the 4th quarter. There is nothing good about a 31 point loss, but if anything at least the Saints were able to somewhat limit the Seattle rushing attack.
The Saints special teams allowed a punt return for a touchdown, had a punt blocked, and a 60-yard kick return that set up a Seattle touchdown. Blake Grupe also missed one of his three field goal attempts. This was one of the worst special teams games in recent memory, as it was the first time since 2011 that the Saints had a punt get blocked. The game was pretty much over before it even started due to these special teams errors, and even when the Saints scored to make it a 21-3 game they immediately gave up the long kick return, and before that they went back to back punts being returned for a TD and then blocked. Special teams were a disaster on Sunday, and one of the main reasons the Saints lost, as they were pretty much responsible for 21 of the 44 points surrendered in the game. Hopefully this was just a fluke and one of those games that just escapes you, because if they can’t even play special teams at an average level they will be in even more trouble than anticipated this year.
It seems like we are saying this every week, but the Saints committed way to many penalties on Sunday. 11 penalties for 77 yards, many of which came from the offensive line. An unnecessary roughness on Bryan Bresee gave the Seahawks a 1st down on 3rd and 8, and immediately led to a touchdown. Multiple false starts and a holding call on rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. derailed the drive which led to the blocked punt and a roughing the passer call on Davon Godchaux gave the Seahawks an extra 15 yards on a 45,-yard completion. Banks in particular, committed way too many penalties during this game. He is a rookie so a little growing pains are to be expected, but this is something he is going to have to clean up, and quickly.
