New Orleans Saints Report Card: Grading Each Unit vs. the Indianpolis Colts

Going into Sunday night's game, the New Orleans Saints were a 13-point favorite over the Indianapolis Colts. Sunday night you saw why. 

In all three phases of the game, the Saints dominated the Colts and further proved why the two teams are headed in such opposite directions. 

That the Saints only won 62-7 is a testament to the respect they show other football teams and their class in not embarrassing them as they could. Okay, they did embarrass the Colts, but by the end it wasn't so much that they were trying to crush them as much as Indy's inability to stop the Saints on basic plays.

Sunday night was quite the spectacle, though, for a team needing a big rebound win. And rebound they did as former rebounding stud of a basketball player Jimmy Graham did his job over and over again, catching two touchdown passes.  

The defense got back to business, and the crowd did the rest. Sunday night was a complete team victory.

Quarterback: Drew Brees, A+

Brees led his team to victory Sunday night by playing his most complete game of 2011: 31-of-35 passing, five touchdowns and just 325 yards in a Saints romp. 

Could you imagine if Brees had to really air it out, what kind of numbers he would have put up? 

Brees was a coach on the field and then some. His play characterized the Saints' efforts Sunday night, and it was all good!

Skill Players: A

These guys made things happen Sunday night and provided lots of excitement for the home crowd—the first time they've seen them play in a month. 

Whether it was Marques Colston leaping over smaller, less athletic defenders to haul in multiple touchdown catches, the same with Jimmy Graham, or Darren Sproles running around and through Colts defenders, the Saints did it all.

They even managed 200-plus rushing yards. The Saints had it going all night. 

Offensive Line: A-

These guys stepped up in the absence of the center they were supposed to ride this season. Brian de la Puente proved to be quite an anchor at center. The unit allowed a couple cheap sacks, but did a wonderful job on the Colts' two dynamic edge rushers, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. 

Additionally, they opened up huge running holes and led the team to 200-plus yards rushing. 

It was by far this team's best outing of the season.

Defensive Line: A-

This was the best game of the season for this unit, though it was against a young and inexperienced offensive line. It still allowed for a couple longer runs, but mostly made that task nearly impossible. 

Linebackers: B

These guys played better than they have in awhile. They played a large role in creating four turnovers and in slowing down the Colts' running game. 

Secondary: A-

Leigh Torrence ran back a pick 42 yards for a score. Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter were on the Colts receivers like flies on...you know. 

It was mastery in action from this unit. 

Special Teams: A

The special teams were downright special Sunday night. 

John Kasay performed well as always. Thomas Morstead had about 9,000 touchbacks, and Darren Sproles did a nice job in the return game. 

This unit did nothing to hurt the team and certainly helped the cause overall.