What We Learned From the Saints In Week 14

What did we learn from the Saints after their home win over the Panthers?

NEW ORLEANS -- It wasn't a pretty or particularly convincing win for the Saints, but it counts regardless. New Orleans overcame a really tough stretch in the middle frame after going up 14-3 to win 28-6 over the Panthers and improve to 6-7 on the year. That sets up a three-way tie in the NFC South, with the Bucs leading the pack right now after beating the Falcons. New Orleans just has to keep winning, and here's some of the many things we learned after Sunday.

What We Learned From the Saints In Week 14

Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) yells after catching a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

THE WIN IS GOOD, BUT

"I don't think that we played as well as we need to play. We played well enough to win this game, but we certainly got to play better, particularly on offense. I don't think we played the way we need to play offensively."

Allen said the rhythm after the opening drive, especially being able to run the football, was big. However, a 'significant portion of the game' left a lot on the table. Allen said Derek Carr's assessment was 'up and down', and Carr said as much after the game. 

Carr said, "We won. We won. I got enough yards and touchdowns for a lifetime, man, I came here to win and hopefully we can just keep doing that."

If this were any of the playoff teams in the NFC, this probably wouldn't go the Saints way. Of course, coming on late did lead to two touchdowns and the defense did play better, but gauging that against the Panthers isn't exactly the confidence booster you take home. Again, it's a win, but the product has to be better with four games left in the year.

MCCOY-CARR EXCHANGE IS RESOLVED

The team addressed the exchange between Derek Carr and Erik McCoy that was caught by the FOX broadcast. Allen said 'it's water under the bridge' and that everyone should move on and to not make much of it. Allen cited it being a highly competitive environment and things not going the way you want it to go and that's the result.

"I'm glad that both of them have the balls to at least stand up and fight," Allen said.

McCoy knew the questions were coming regarding the incident, and he was prepared to answer them in the locker room. 

McCoy said, "I think it was frustration. I was trying to communicate. He was trying to communicate. I lost my cool. I did, and like I said, Derek Carr, I'm sorry. We're good. I love him. He loves me. We're on the same page."

Carr said the two had a great week of texting each other, in practice, and laughing and having fun together.

"Me and Erik have no issue. In the moment, something happened. The reason doesn't matter. Everyone wants to know the reason. Everybody wants to know the why. It doesn't matter. We were both right. We were both wrong. At the same time, we were both like, 'My bad.' He was like, 'My bad.' I was like, 'My bad. My bad.' And that was it. I've done that with my older brothers probably 50 times in my life, and it happens. But when it's like in a frustrating moment and that kind of happens it is intensifieed as I've learned. People want to know, 'Oh no, what's wrong?' There really is nothing wrong. We had a moment."

Panthers vs. Saints: Live Updates and Notes from Week 14

TAYSOM HILL WAS MISSED

The Saints were doing some good things in the run game early on, and the Panthers didn't have many answers for slowing down Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. However, once they got into the red area, things stalled out and it wasn't so pretty. It just wasn't there, and some of the short yardage situations we'd normally see Hill in didn't hit for the Saints offense on Sunday. Here's to hoping the foot injury doesn't linger too long. New Orleans needs him back in the lineup.

JIMMY GRAHAM NEEDS TO BE IN THE GAME PLAN DOWN THE STRETCH

"He certainly has given us a little bit of an uptick in the last couple of weeks," Allen said. The Saints needed a spark, and Jimmy Graham delivered. Making a big contested catch to help move the sticks on a 3rd-and-9 play for 12 yards. Derek Carr gave his big target a chance to get it and he moved the chains. He was later dialed up on a touchdown pass in the end zone from 4 yards out.

It's usually about playing your best in December and beyond, and Graham has the experience and the 'it' still to make big plays. He should be active in each game going forward, even if it's just for a handful of snaps.

JORDAN HOWDEN WAS ALL OVER THE FIELD

The rookie safety led the way with 10 total tackles on the day (8 solo, 2 assisted), notching a sack on Bryce Young and also forcing a fumble in the process. He also had a pass breakup in the end zone. Allen said there were undoubtedly some things he could do better there, and Howden knows that, but it's very encouraging to see him play at this level in his first year. It honestly gives confidence to what the future may hold.