NFC Divisional: Saints Snap Counts and Observations

One last look at the final game from the 2020 Saints season, looking at the snap counts and playing time percentages from their Divisional Round loss to the Bucs.

There is no feel-good story in how the Saints season finished. New Orleans simply didn't meet their season expectations in what is likely the final time we'll see Drew Brees. This team preached the emphasis of 'Super Bowl or bust' going into the season, but got halted against the Bucs in the Divisional Round. Here's our final look at the snap counts and playing time percentages for their 2020 season from the game against the Bucs.

Offense

• Ryan Ramczyk, Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy - 65 (100%)
  Brees didn't take any sacks, but also was hurried on some throws. The Saints averaged 4.9 yards/play and got 104 rushing yards. They were 6-of-11 on third down and finished with 294 total yards of offense. 
• Drew Brees - 64 (98%)
  It was one of the worst ways for Brees to go out, if it was his last game in the NFL. He went 19-of-34 for 134 yards, tossing a touchdown and 3 interceptions to finish with a 38.1 rating. It was simply hard to watch.
• Terron Armstead - 61 (94%)
  Armstead went off for a few plays due to an injury and got treated in the medical tent. He did return, however. 
• Alvin Kamara - 56 (86%)
  Kamara did everything he could to help move the football, carrying it 18 times for 85 yards and adding 3 receptions for 20 yards on 6 targets. One of the interceptions Brees threw didn't see like Kamara was ready for or anticipating it. He's a true cornerstone for this team, and whoever plays QB next year will find him often.
• Michael Thomas - 45 (69%)
  Thomas had an extremely disappointing game, finishing with nothing on the stat sheet except 4 targets. It was later revealed that he played with a pretty big injury that requires some surgery. Hopefully, he bounces back in a big way in 2021.
• Emmanuel Sanders - 44 (68%)
  Sanders was pretty active, catching 6 of his 9 targets for 48 yards, which included a long of 16.
• Tre'Quan Smith - 35 (54%)
  Smith was good in his return from injury, securing all 3 targets for 85 yards and both New Orleans touchdowns. He said that he originally wasn't the designed receiver for the trick play that the team connected on, but he made sure he learned it and delivered.
• Jared Cook - 31 (48%)
  Cook finished with 5 receptions for 28 yards on 7 targets, and his fumble after the team converted a key third down proved to be a big turning point in the game. It's definitely a shame to see it go down the way it did, as he might have played his last game for New Orleans.
• Adam Trautman - 28 (43%)
• Josh Hill - 27 (42%)
• Marquez Callaway - 20 (31%)
• Michael Burton - 15 (23%)
• James Hurst - 13 (20%)
• Ty Montgomery - 9 (14%)
  The Saints missed Latavius Murray, but Montgomery got 4 carries for 14 yards and a catch for 13 yards.
• Deonte Harris - 3 (5%)
  Harris was electric early on in the return game, but only had a single catch for negative yardage before leaving due to the neck issue that's been hampering him this season.
• Dwayne Washington - 2 (3%)
• Ethan Greenidge, Jameis Winston - 1 (2%)
  Winston's lone play of the game resulted in a 56-yard passing touchdown to Tre'Quan Smith on a trick play. Winston could very well get a shot at the starting role next season, assuming the Saints lock him up.

Defense

• Malcolm Jenkins, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Williams - 72 (100%)
  All four of these players played strong all game, as Jenkins led the way 11 total tackles (8 solo, 3 assisted) and 3 pass defenses. Davis got the lone sack of the day for the Saints early in the game. He had 9 tackles (8 solo, 1 assisted), 2 QB hits, and a tackle for loss. Lattimore played well against Mike Evans again, but Evans did get the one touchdown. Williams appeared to have an interception, but couldn't get that second foot down. He certainly had a strong season for the Saints, and he'd be a priority to bring back in free agency. 
• Alex Anzalone - 70 (97%)
  Anzalone seemed to be a familiar target for the Bucs, but he finished third behind Jenkins and Davis with 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assisted).
• Janoris Jenkins - 66 (92%)
• Cam Jordan - 63 (88%)
  Jordan had 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assisted) and a QB hit on the day. When your edge rushers can't get to Brady, it seems to be a problem.
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson - 53 (74%)
  Just 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assisted) and a pass defense for Ceedy Duce. He went out for a little bit due to injury, but returned after getting treated in the blue medical tent.
• David Onyemata - 45 (62%)
• Marcus Davenport, Sheldon Rankins - 36 (50%)
• Shy Tuttle - 33 (46%)
• Trey Hendrickson - 29 (40%)
  Hendrickson didn't register anything whatsoever on the stat sheet for the Saints defense. Perhaps it's how the game unfolded, but it was certainly a disappointing end to his stellar season.
• Malcom Brown - 26 (36%)
• Zack Baun, P.J. Williams - 19 (26%)
• Carl Granderson - 9 (12%)

Special Teams (Top Reps)

• Justin Hardee, J.T. Gray, Craig Robertson, Kaden Elliss - 22
• Zack Baun, Dwayne Washington - 16
• Chase Hansen - 14