New Orleans Saints Get Heavenly Play from Young, Tame Panthers 16-14

Despite two turnovers, a good game by rookie Jimmy Clausen and a great performance from James Anderson (16 tackles, a sack, and two fumble recoveries, the Saints still won the game vs the rival Panthers. Not many saw this as a game the Saints would have trouble winning, but yet again this season the Saints offense struggled mustering only 16 points.

Drew Brees threw for 275 yards and a touchdown, which would be nice if he had thrown the ball 25 times or so, but Brees put the ball in the air 48 times. The Panther D frustrated Brees all day by batting balls down at the line and sitting back in coverage taking away any down the field throws, which has been the blueprint to slow down Drew this season.

Though the Saints were good on third down, converting 8-of-14. Jeremy Shockey had a great day for the second week in a row, catching six passes for 58 yards as he was Brees's safety blanket. 

With leading receiver and starting running back Pierre Thomas, and Pro Bowl Safety Roman Harper already out the Saints injury report only got longer as the game went on. The Saints lost back up safety Pierson Prioleau and third string Chris Reis as well as Will Smith and Tracey Porter getting banged up. Through all of this the Saints D played good only giving up 251 yards of total offense. 

The old (and I mean old) veteran John Carney had a wonderful return to New Orleans, booting three field goals (32, 32, 25) in his season debut. The running game was anchored by rookie Chris Ivory and veteran Ladell Betts, who amassed over 100 yards on the ground. 

The play of the game was with out a doubt play made by back up free safety Usama Young who was because of injury forced to play strong safety. DeAngelo Williams ran to the outside and had nothing but turf in between him and the end zone until Usama made a game saving tackle, grabbing Williams by the leg and holding on for dear life. 

The Saints offense may not have clicked for this game, and the defense did not play its best game, but a win is a win. The Saints are 3-1 second in the NFC south and got their first division win, so all's well that ends well I guess.