Canal Street Chronicles
There wasn’t a lot that went the New Orleans Saints’ way in their 44-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Saints are a rebuilding team and not many are expecting them to be competitive this season, but losing by 31 points is the worst possible outcome. New Orleans was competitive in their first two losses of the season and even had chances to take the win late, but a blowout in Week 3 brought them back down to earth.
It’s hard to find any positives after the Saints dropped to 0-3 in blowout fashion on the road. While Demario Davis did have a solid game on Sunday despite the loss, it isn’t his numbers that earned him a up for us today.
While down by over 30 points in the fourth quarter, Davis was continuing to be a leader for his teammates. He was the first to help his teammates up off the ground and continued to motivate his guys. In a rebuilding team like the Saints, it’s important to have leaders present. To have players lead by example. There will be a day for New Orleans when Demario Davis is no longer wearing the black and gold, and someone will have to step up in his place.
Davis ended the day with the second most tackles on the team (11) and a TFL. While not the most electric of numbers, it’s the veteran linebacker’s demeanor and leadership that impressed the most on Sunday.
Sunday’s loss got out of hand for the Saints quickly. Special teams mistakes and penalties handicapped New Orleans in the first quarter, and they were facing a 21-0 deficit early.
The Saints struggled with penalties in Week 1 and then again in Week 2. Despite bringing referees into practice to help the team clean up on penalties, flags were flying everywhere for the Saints in their Week 3 loss. It’s one thing to have a game where penalties plagued your team all week, but it’s a way bigger issue when it’s three weeks in a row. In his first three games of being a head coach, Kellen Moore has led an undisciplined Saints team. There has been a lack of adjustments for New Orleans, and Moore is at the front of it.
Outside of penalties, Moore’s decision-making continues to be puzzling. In Week 1, the rookie head coach opted not to use timeouts and give his offense a chance to score before halftime. This move was puzzling, but was excused due to starting a young quarterback in a new offense. But the question marks continue to fly for Moore after more questionable decisions in the team’s Week 3 loss.
With 2:53 seconds left in the first half, the Saints were facing a 4th & 2, trailing 35-3. Instead of trying to go for it and give the team a chance to put a touchdown on the board before halftime, Moore called for the field goal...
