Canal Street Chronicles
A lot went right in the Saints dominant season opener.
The New Orleans Saints started the season off with a bang, winning their opener against a division rival, the Carolina Panthers 47-10. The offense was clicking, and the defense looked as usual holding a revamped Panthers offense to just 10 points.
The debut of the Klint Kubiak show was everything the Saints hoped for and more. The team averaged 4.8 yards on the ground resulting in 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. The pass offense was also effective as Derek Carr was precise through the air throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns.
There was a night and day difference between the offensive scheme we saw on Sunday compared to the scheme the Saints offense used in 2023. The run game was emphasized, and pre-snap motion was a prominent factor in the offense’s success. Running back Alvin Kamara earned over 100 total yards for the 50th time in his career and was used as a playmaker rather than the safety net he was last season. Wide receivers weren't an emphasis in the offense, with wideouts pulling just six receptions combined, but receivers were key blockers in many rush attempts that the Saints bounced to the outside. The team worked as a unit and the players were all on the same page, a problem the team dealt with in 2023.
Blake Grupe fought through a kicker battle in training camp eventually coming out victorious. Despite winning a kicker position battle in two straight seasons, there remained questions about the second-year kicker’s reliability. In the face of all the criticism and questions, Grupe had an excellent game going 4/4 on his attempts nailing field goals from 57, 52, 44, and 39 yards. With the Saints' offense looking as efficient as they did on Sunday, Grupe could see more usage this season compared to the 2023 season. If the young kicker continues to stay consistent, the offense will have a little weight off their shoulders.
Week one fatigue is always expected as players haven't taken full contact hits in eight months. In the Saints opener, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, linebacker Willie Gay, left guard Lucas Patrick and tight end Foster Moreau left the game early due to injuries and did not return. Lattimore left the game with a hamstring injury while Patrick is dealing with a toe injury and Moreau in concussion protocol. The status of Gay Jr. has not yet been revealed.
Lattimore is a centerpiece of the defense and depending on severity could be a big loss for the team ahead of their week two matchup with the Dallas Cowboys who house one of the best wideouts in the league in CeeDee Lamb. Moreau made an impact on the offense, pulling in four receptions and a touchdown before exciting the game. He was a playmaker for New Orleans on Sunday and certainly, a player the team would want him healthy for their...
