Time for a quick look at New Orleans’ 39-19 victory against Seattle.
What it means: Coming out of their bye week, the Saints had an impressive offensive showing as Drew Brees threw four touchdowns and Chris Ivory ran the ball consistently well. That’s a very positive sign for an offense that hadn’t been nearly as explosive as it was last year or earlier in the season. It could mark a turning point and it could be happening at just the right time. The win puts the Saints at 7-3 and very much in contention in the NFC South. Tampa Bay (7-3) and Atlanta (8-2) also won Sunday.
What I liked: Marques Colston caught two touchdown passes against the Seahawks. Although he’s the No. 1 receiver in this offense, Colston went without a touchdown catch through the first six games. He now has four touchdowns in the past four games. The Saints need Colston to remain a big part of the offense down the stretch.
What I didn’t like: The Saints allowed Matt Hasselbeck to throw for 366 yards. That’s too much for any opponent. The defensive backfield was without Malcolm Jenkins, Patrick Robinson and Darren Sharper and that helps explain the big total. But the Saints, who played the run very well, can’t afford many more games in which their pass defense struggles.
What’s next: The Saints face a very quick turnaround, playing a Thanksgiving game at Dallas on Thursday. The Cowboys have won two straight since Jason Garrett took over as head coach. The Saints may have a little grudge because Dallas ended their 13-game winning streak last season. Although the logistics may be challenging, the Saints have experience in that area. Since Sean Payton’s been coaching the Saints, they’ve had to play a game in London and evacuated ahead of hurricanes several times.