New York Giants

Defense plays inspired, offense falters in Saints' loss to Giants

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Saints can’t put it all together as the defense was solid, holding the Giants to no offensive touchdowns, but the offense was only able to get into the end zone once in their latest loss.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Craig Robertson (52) tackles New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Saints 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

For all the expectations of an offensive shootout reminiscent of 2015’s epic score-a-thon, Saints fans got something totally different against the New York Giants on this Sunday.

Yeah, another Stranger Things reference but welcome to the Upside Down, 2016 New Orleans Saints version. Very pedestrian offensive numbers and a defense that, if not exactly bringing back Dome Patrol memories, looked vastly improved from what we’ve grown used to.

The Saints defense, a huge question mark and Achilles’ heel to this point, answered the call. Producing turnovers and applying pressure to Eli Manning, following a possible serious injury to CB P.J. Williams, they played with a fire in their gut, even getting two sacks after a Week 1 in which they had none.

Williams left early in the game after taking an incidental knee to the head while making a tackle. Early reports have him with a concussion when it looked like a serious neck injury could be a possibility. We’ll get more about his status later but it looks like he dodged a bullet.

Ultimately this week, it was the offense that couldn’t get it in gear with the Saints losing on a last second field goal to fall 16-13 and drop to 0-2. There were ample opportunities for the offense and far too many dropped balls. To lead the turnover battle by +3 and still lose has got to be disheartening for a defense that came to play in the Meadowlands.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Brees looked fairly comfortable in the pocket for the most part as the offensive line continued to play well even with a late game chest injury sidelining starting right tackle Zach Strief. But the Giants’ upgraded secondary featuring CBs Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and rookie Eli Apple, and safety Landon Collins effectively stifled the Saints’ air attack. A still ineffective run game did nothing to help.

The only offensive touchdown of the day came on a fourth quarter hookup from Brees to Willie Snead IV for 17 yards as the Saints scratched and clawed to stay in the game.

Big drops from WR Brandon Coleman and TE Coby Fleener confounded Drew Brees as attempts were made to get those two into the game.

The Saints’ ground attack was a nonfactor. The Black and Gold finished the day with 41 yards on 13 carries for a 3.15 yard per carry average. That’s never going to cut it. On the positive side the Saints D limited the Giants to 64 yards on 32 carries for a 2 yard per carry average and limited Eli Manning to zero touchdown passes.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) and New Orleans Saints cornerback Ken Crawley (46) go for a fourth quarter pass at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately there were some big pass plays given up and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by the G-Men that proved the deciders. The blocked field goal came on a 38 yard attempt by rookie Wil Lutz in the closing minutes of the first half. Saints guard Andrus Peat completely whiffed on a blocking assignment allowing Big Blue’s Johnathan Hankins a clean approach to make the block which was scooped by CB Janoris Jenkins and returned for a TD.

The backbreaker for the WhoDats, though, came on a 34 yard completion to WR Victor Cruz on a 3rd and 8 from the Saints’ 36 with under two minutes left to go in the game. Ken Crawley, who Manning was obviously targeting, had good position and looked to have a shot at a pick but Cruz ultimately came away with a stunning grab setting the Giants up for the deciding field goal.

Again searching for positives, the Saints had very few penalties and no turnovers in this loss. But, the standout stat of the day is probably Saints third down conversion. 23.1% compared to 53.3% for the Giants. Drive stalling numbers like that tell the tale of this one.

The Saints start the season 0-2 and there are plenty of articles out there showing how many 0-2 teams go on to participate in the playoffs or even have winning seasons so there’ll be a gloom over the WhoDat Nation this week. How they respond will speak volumes about the character of this squad.

But all elements have to click for this team to be competitive going forward. One week it’s the offense and one week it’s the defense. With injuries already hampering the campaign in 2016, the only chance the Saints have for a winning season is to have offense, defense, and special teams playing up to and above their abilities.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Mauti

Encouraging in this one, rookie safety Vonn Bell in his first significant action was solid with eight tackles and a forced fumble. LB Craig Robertson continued his outstanding play with 10 tackles. LB Michael Mauti and DE Cam Jordan each had sacks with Mauti forcing a fumble recovered by the Saints. Even S Jairus Byrd stepped up this week with seven tackles though his coverage was much softer than was needed this Sunday.

The rest of the interior defensive line was strong as well. Tyeler Davison, Nick Fairley, John Jenkins, and even rookie David Onyemata were stout in run coverage if still not producing much pressure up the middle on pass plays.

An area of concern is still whoever is playing defensive end opposite Cam Jordan. There was little pressure on Manning from DE Paul Kruger. And when your middle linebacker, James Laurinaitis, only has three tackles, and only one of them solo, that’s worrisome.

Newly acquired free agent corner Sterling Moore looked like a very good move for the Black and Gold. Producing well above expectations, he appears to be a strong temporary replacement for sidelined standout Delvin Breaux. Recently brought in CB B.W. Webb will certainly be pressed into duty after being a healthy inactive in Week 2.

One note of interest is the status of linebacker Stephone Anthony. He was listed as active for the game and we’ll have to see snap counts after they’re posted, but it doesn’t appear he got any playing time in this game. It will be interesting to see what’s going on there as news comes out this week.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: Eli Manning

In the expected quarterback duel, Eli Manning easily came out on top in this matchup finishing 32 of 41 (a staggering 78.8% completion rate) for 368 yards compared to Drew Brees’ 29 of 44 for 263 yards and a TD. Neither threw an interception but the big plays from Manning to Beckham (11 for 86), Cruz (8 for 91), and rookie Sterling Shepherd (8 for 117) kept the Saints’ offense off the field and put the Giants in the driver’s seat in this contest.

The Saints will have a long week with their next contest being on Monday Night Football, September 26, against the Atlanta Falcons in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. It’s way too early to start using terms like “must win”, but this one coming up is a must win for the Saints. Losing to a bad opponent at home, especially a rival like the Dirty Birds, will put the Saints in a hole out of which it would be very hard to climb.