The New Orleans Saints faithful had been hurting since Week 2, but none of the recent losses stung as badly as this one did. The Saints just lost to the Carolina Panthers, 23-22. Carolina was once touted this season as the worst team in football, and they had no problem taking care of business against New Orleans. That is where we are at right now, and it was a great showing from the Panthers, who deserve some wins (even as a divisional rival).
Change Has To Come For The Saints
There are a few things that need to be discussed here but the one thing that has to be mentioned first is this losing streak. The loss to the Panthers makes these seven straight losses, and I just can’t fathom how anything can remain the same next week. I feel like a broken record talking about change has to be made, but I’ve been surprised each of the last five weeks when nothing has changed. This roster continues to be bad at tackling, they fail to create consistent passing lanes, they are penalized constantly, it doesn’t appear that they come into games prepared, and the coaching staff often looks clueless when we get inside two minutes. I can’t wrap my head around the possibility that Dennis Allen remains the head coach after seven straight losses, it wouldn’t make sense.
High Draft Pick In Sight
The next thing I want to say is that the Saints now have the number two overall pick in the NFL draft. For any Saints fans out there hoping for a rebuild, this is the best thing you can possibly here right now. The only team above the Saints right now in draft order is the New England Patriots, who have the same record as New Orleans. It is likely that this Saints team is the worst in the NFL at the moment, and everybody on the roster has seemingly given up on the coaches. Alvin Kamara stated after the game that the players have confidence, but that they might not necessarily have confidence in something else. This is pure speculation, but I believe that this was aimed at the coaching staff, who the fans have repeatedly pointed out as the problem this season and last season.
Alvin Kamara Carried An Uninspired Offense
Now, getting into the actual game here, the offense was a disaster outside of Alvin Kamara (shocker). Derek Carr returned from his multi-game absence and put up the same level of production as Spencer Rattler did when he started. Carr completed 18 of his 31 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also threw a questionable ball to Chris Olave, who wound up getting blasted in the head afterward and suffered his fifth concussion. He needed to be carried off the field on a stretcher and was transported to a local hospital afterward. He will likely miss the remainder of the season and possibly more. When Olave exited, the receiving core was next to nothing. Kamara and Taysom Hill (both non-receivers) had combined receptions. The rest of the offense had eight, and that includes one catch from Olave before his injury. Nobody else stepped up at a time when they needed to. It was disappointing, to say the least. The good part was Kamara. He ran the ball 29 times and turned that into 155 rushing yards. He also hauled in six receptions for an additional 60 yards. Honestly, it doesn’t feel like we deserve him right now.
Defense Fell Into The Same Problems Again
As for the defense, there’s nothing else to say here. The tackling remains as bad as ever, the penalties come in far too often, and the pass rush rarely ever gets home. The Saints had one sack and one interception, and that was really it. They didn’t play a flat-out embarrassing game; they just didn’t do what we all know they could do against a mediocre opponent. And to make things worse, the Saints had themselves a five-point lead with just over two minutes to go. Carolina took possession of the ball, traveled the length of the field, and punched in a touchdown without much resistance. That’s been the story of the Saints’ defense for years, just refusing to lock opponents down in the final two minutes, losing game after game like this gets annoying. The blame falls on both the players and the coaches because this issue hasn’t been resolved in a while.
Panthers Were Given Hope
And, as I always try to do, let’s give some credit to the Panthers. Bryce Young completed 16 of his 26 passes for 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Though that interception was not at all his fault, it was a beautiful throw that got ripped away from his receiver while he was falling to the ground. That was truly the one blemish on a very impressive showing from Young. Chuba Hubbard also took 15 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns, working over that Saints defensive front throughout the game. If you’re a Panthers fan out there, this was what you were hoping for out of this young group, progress. Progress in the development of the young core, and as much as I hate that from a divisional rival standpoint, I love it for the fans who have endured the hardship over the last few years. One win isn’t anything to throw a party over, but progress should be celebrated (at least a little).
No Words Left To Say
Overall, I’m devastated by how this season has gone. I feel terrible for the veterans on this Saints team who don’t deserve the losing streak that they’re currently in. I feel bad for the coaches who genuinely are trying their best, but it is not working. And I feel awful for the fans who continue to show up to support their team and get let down. Change has to be made, and it has to be made soon. There aren’t any more excuses, this is the time. Right now, Saints fans, we are looking at a team that might not win another game this season, so that top draft pick is absolutely within reach.