Texans vs. Saints: New Orleans Biggest Winners and Losers from Preseason Week 3

In their third preseason game, the New Orleans Saints played host to the Houston Texans Saturday night.

Both the Saints and Texans have high-powered offenses. Last time these two teams met was Week 3 last season—a 40-33 victory for the Saints.

Saturday night was no different. The Saints edged the Texans 34-27, and both teams combined for 48 points in the first half alone.

The Saints managed to score two touchdowns in a matter of nine seconds after being down by 14 in the beginning.

Of course, no game is perfect, so let’s look at some winners and losers for this game.

Winner: Drew Brees

The Pro Bowl quarterback was on fire the first quarter. He went 6-of-7 for 66 yards and a touchdown. 

Throughout the game, Brees was fairly accurate, and he showed his toughness by getting out of a few would-be sacks and making some big plays.

Brees ended the half and the game completing 17-of-25 for 179 yards and two touchdowns. The last touchdown toss went to superstar tight end Jimmy Graham right before the half ended.

Loser: Saints Defense

Yes, the Houston Texans have one of the better offenses in the NFL, but Matt Schaub had too much ease marching the Texans down the field and scoring. At the same time, the Saints linebacking corp is depleted due to injuries, so there were a lot of backups in there.

The Saints defense allowed two quick scores by the Texans, and if it weren’t for Brees, it might’ve been embarrassing for the Saints.

The defense buckled down a bit and showed some flashes of what it can be under new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

Winner: Jimmy Graham

Like last year, tight end Jimmy Graham made some big plays gaining a lot of yards after the catch.

Graham finished the night with three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Loser: Malcolm Jenkins

On one of the Texans' touchdown drives, Malcolm Jenkins made a mistake and it left receiver Keshawn Martin wide open in the middle of the field waltzing in for the touchdown.

The secondary was part of the Saints’ defensive woes last season, especially in their playoff loss to the 49ers. They need to stop making mental errors in their assignments.

Winner: Akiem Hicks

The rookie defensive tackle out of Regina had an outstanding game. He had a sack and has looked impressive so far this entire offseason.

Looks like the Saints’ first pick in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft will turn out to be a good choice.

Winner: Corey White

The Saints have to be happy with this pick. The cornerback out of Samford is a physical, hard-hitting cornerback that has good coverage ability and has a knack for making some big plays.

Like the rest of the preseason, he had a productive game on Saturday night. Sedrick Ellis recovered a fumble which he caused.

White might see some time in nickel and dime packages.

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