Saints Snap Counts and Observations from Week 3

Losing the way the Saints did will sting, and hopefully they'll move past it quickly. Here's a look at the snap counts with some observations and notes from the game.

There's really no other way to put it, but Sunday's 18-17 loss to the Packers stung. New Orleans was clearly in control in this game, putting on a major defensive display while also bringing some promising changes to the offense early on. However, a fourth quarter collapse did them in. Here's a closer look at the Saints snap counts from Week 3, with some observations and notes from the game.

Offense

Chris Olave / Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) reaches to catch a pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It's not good enough. It just isn't. The Saints offense went stale in the second half, really after Derek Carr left the game. There were a couple of plays that worked, and they even moved the ball well on the final possession. However, things are just not right. New Orleans totaled 252 net yards (77 rushing, 175 passing) and went 4-of-14 on 3rd Down. The time of possession favored the Packers 32:35-27:25. The biggest gripe would be in the play calling late. There's got to be some changes.

• Erik McCoy, Ryan Ramczyk, Trevor Penning, James Hurst- 61 (100%)
  The depth was something we were all concerned about going into this season, but now we're having to worry about the actual starters. Another four sacks allowed, and while the one everyone will look at will be the play Derek Carr got hurt on, he also held the ball too long. Doug Maronne is a good coach, but this unit has left a lot to the imagination this season.
• Chris Olave - 49 (80%)
  Olave continues to be the Saints best offensive player on the field. He hauled in 8 catches for 104 yards on 11 targets. The one-handed grab he made near the sideline was something insane to be appreciated. He's really putting together some outstanding tape in his second season.
• Andrus Peat - 46 (75%)
  Peat went into the game after Ruiz got hurt. He went in at left guard while James Hurst moved to right guard. Before that, he was used as the jumbo man, something we really haven't seen this season. He got hurt towards the end of the game on the play right before the field goal attempt, but stayed on.
• Michael Thomas - 46 (75%)
  Thomas wasn't a big factor to start things, but finished out with 6 catches for 50 yards on 9 targets. There was a play in which he was wide open in the back of the end zone, but Carr didn't see him or look his way. Quietly, he's still proving his MT, and that's positive.
• Rashid Shaheed - 44 (72%)
  Shaheed was non-existent on offense, seeing two targets and one carry that produced nothing. However, the special teams play should be appreciated (more on that later).
• Juwan Johnson - 43 (70%)
  At some point, the Saints are going to need to get Juwan Johnson going.
• Derek Carr - 33 (54%)
  Carr finished 13-of-18 (72.2%) for 103 yards and a score before being knocked out of the game. He was sacked three times, none costlier than the one that sent him to the locker room. The official diagnosis is an AC joint sprain, and he's officially week-to-week. He felt better than he did yesterday, but he could be out for a couple of weeks.
• Tony Jones Jr. - 30 (49%)
  Jones Jr. had a really nice run in the game for 19 yards, but was mostly held in check aside that to finish with 8 carries for 31 yards (3.9 yards/attempt).
• Jameis Winston - 23 (38%)
  In relief, Winston went 10-of-16 for 101 yards (62.5%) and was sacked once. Until we see otherwise, he should seemingly be the starter for Sunday's game against the Bucs. Dennis Allen said "I don't think so," when asked about if the offense changed with Jameis Winston coming into the game. Allen said he did some good things.
• Kendre Miller - 21 (34%)
  Miller's first outing saw him finish with 9 carries for 34 yards (3.8 yards/attempt) with a long of 10. That was a really good move on that run, and he also had another good one called back due to a hold. Alvin Kamara is back, so hopefully they can use him more efficiently going forward.
• Taysom Hill, Cesar Ruiz - 18 (30%)
  Hill wasn't used like he might should have been. I thought at the end of the game when it was 3rd and manageable that he could have been in there to run for a first down. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. As for Ruiz, he suffered a concussion and is in the protocol. We'll see where he's at by the end of the week, but he's okay.
• Keith Kirkwood, Jimmy Graham - 17 (28%)
  It was really good to see Jimmy Graham get into the end zone. As I pointed out yesterday, it was his first touchdown in quite some time. They need to get him more looks.
• Adam Prentice - 11 (18%)
• Landon Young - 6 (10%)
  After Peat went in, Young became the extra jumbo lineman.
• Lynn Bowden Jr. - 5 (8%)

Defense

Pete Werner / Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) rushes with the football as New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

A stellar outing was overshadowed by a tough final 15 minutes. Up until then, the Saints defense was playing lights out and made Jordan Love look inadequate. The Packers defense finished with 340 net yards (95 rushing, 245 passing) while going 8-of-18 on 3rd Down. The biggest sticking point was that they played 71 plays on defense. That's tough. When the offense needed to give them a break, they unfortunately they mustered up a three-and-out, which is typically the case. There was a few plays where the defense did somewhat luck out from a big play as well.

• Alontae Taylor, Demario Davis, Jordan Howden, Tyrann Mathieu - 79 (100%)
  One might make an argument for Taylor being the best player out on the field on defense. Overall, he played pretty strong, finished with a sack for -14 yards, 5 solo tackles, and 5 pass breakups. That pass interference call on him was a little questionable, but they called it. I also thought Jordan Howden did a stellar job in his first start in place of Marcus Maye, and if you don't believe me, be sure to check out Ross Jackson's piece. Mathieu made a really nice play near the goal line, and obviously people are going to harp on Davis getting juked by Jordan Love for a Packers touchdown. It was a big play, but one of them doesn't mean someone is washed. Stop that nonsense.
• Pete Werner - 78 (99%)
  Werner led the way with 11 total tackles (7 solo, 4 assisted). He continues to be such an important piece of the puzzle defensively, and has quietly turned in a strong start to the year.
• Marshon Lattimore - 76 (96%)
  Lattimore had a pass breakup while finished second on the day with 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assisted). It might not have been the strongest game, but he'll bounce back.
• Cam Jordan - 68 (86%)
  Jordan didn't register anything on the stat sheet, and I honestly can't recall the last time that's happened.
• Carl Granderson - 64 (81%)
  
• Isaac Yiadom - 63 (80%)
  Yiadom started opposite Lattimore in place of Paulson Adebo, and overall I thought he did a good job. He had 4 tackles (2 solo, 2 assisted) and finished with 4 pass breakups. The Packers did go after him late and got him on the touchdown to Romeo Doubs and the pass interference call, but there's not much else you could ask from the veteran.
• Nathan Shepherd - 41 (52%)
• Bryan Bresee - 38 (48%)
  Bresee had a tipped pass at the line, but overall, the Saints pass rush couldn't get home on Jordan Love. Bresee did have some really good moments again. He's really been on one.
• Khalen Saunders - 35 (44%)
• Malcolm Roach - 31 (39%)
• Tanoh Kpassagnon - 21 (27%)
• Zack Baun - 19 (24%)
• Isaiah Foskey - 11 (14%)
  Foskey joined a host of defenders with 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assisted). He also came close to getting a punt block for the second straight week. I'm encouraged by his growth so far.
• Lonnie Johnson Jr. - 8 (10%)
  Johnson Jr. was the extra defensive back in dime situations, and he kept the turnover streak alive for the Saints getting a pick. He also had a pass defense. He's going to see more opportunities.

Special Teams (Top Reps)

Rashid Shaheed :: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) scores a touchdown on punt against Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan (19) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

First, let's highlight the good. Rashid Shaheed's 76-yard punt return was one of the major moments of the game. That was the first Saints punt return since 2019, just over four years ago when Deonte Harris (Harty now) did so against the Seahawks. It was only a matter of time when Shaheed was going to break one.

Now, let's talk about the bad. Blake Grupe missed a golden opportunity to put the Saints ahead late in the game. He put it on himself, saying that the execution and placement was spot on. Hopefully, he'll learn from it just like everyone else.

• Zack Baun, Lonnie Johnson Jr., J.T. Gray, D'Marco Jackson - 21
• Nephi Sewell, Johnathan Abram, Ty Summers - 19
• Taysom Hill - 12