Saints Snap Counts and Observations from Week 5

A closer look at the Saints snap counts from their shutout win over the Patriots with some observations from the game.

A dominating win is certainly what the doctor ordered for the Saints in Week 5, and it was needed in the worst way. Moving to 3-2 after handing the Patriots their first shutout loss at home since 1969 will certainly make the 24-hour rule enjoyable. Naturally, what we're curious to see is if this was a one-time thing or if this was a legitimate outing from the New Orleans playing a complete game. Here's a look at the snap counts from Sunday with some observations and notes from the game.

Offense

It's refreshing to see the Saints offense perform. It wasn't a perfect product, and they know that, but it's a major step in the right direction after some big reality checks this week. The New Orleans offense totaled 304 net yards on the day (136 rushing, 168 passing), going 5-of-15 on 3rd Down and dominating the time of possession battle 39:34-20:26. They picked up 17 first downs on the day, having a lot more success and putting scoring drives together. We'll see if this was turning the corner for sure or just a blip on the radar, but it was encouraging regardless.

• Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy, Trevor Penning - 72 (100%)
  The offensive line continues to improve. Derek Carr was sacked twice on the day, but I wouldn't put either of those on the big guys up front. Adam Prentice missed picking up a blitz, and the other saw Carr holding the ball too long. Overall, they've come a long way since the beginning of the season.
• Ryan Ramczyk, James Hurst - 65 (90%)
• Derek Carr - 58 (81%)
  Carr finished the day going 18/26 for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns, turning in a 114.7 rating. He had a few throws that were off the mark, and at one point he could have been a perfect 14/14 if Jimmy Graham made a catch being wide open and being on the mark for the other two throws. He also was fortunate to not get picked off on a overthrow. Overall, Carr managed the game and delivered. He won't have to light up the stat sheet, just get things executed when they need to be.
• Chris Olave - 57 (79%)
  Olave caught 2 balls on 5 targets for 12 yards and a score. He could have had two more big catches, including another one in the end zone. It was a decent rebound for him after last week's events, and he'll undoubtedly be better.
• Michael Thomas - 51 (71%)
  Thomas led the way with 4 catches for 65 yards on 7 targets. He's really catching a groove and is making some of the tough grabs in traffic. He said after the game that the chemistry is getting better and better with Carr, and we're seeing that. Quietly, Thomas is 30th in the league with 26 catches for 284 yards.
• Foster Moreau - 48 (67%)
  It was a great week for Foster Moreau. He obviously had a lot of impact regarding the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative and had a great statement made in the locker room. In turn, he got his first touchdown with the Saints off a Carr shovel pass. That was his lone target.
• Alvin Kamara - 45 (62%)
  Kamara became the franchise's all-time touchdown leader on Sunday after a rushing score, breaking the previous record held by the great Marques Colston. He finished with 22 carries for 80 yards and caught all 3 of his targets for 17 yards. This was one of those games where they got him going and it helped open things up a lot.
• Rashid Shaheed - 41 (57%)
  Shaheed had the big 25-yard catch to set the Saints up inside the 10-yard-line and had a few good returns. He finished with 2 grabs for 28 yards.
• Taysom Hill - 28 (39%)
  Hill didn't have a large stat line, but he carries 3 times for 19 yards and caught his lone target for a yard. He also had played more tight end with Juwan Johnson being out.
• Jimmy Graham - 27 (38%)
  I thought Graham would have played a larger role in this game, but he didn't get his lone target. He was open and had space in front of him. 
• Kendre Miller - 26 (36%)
  You got to see what Kendre Miller can bring to the table for this team, as he had the big 33-yard catch and run that was helped out by a Michael Thomas block. Miller caught all 4 of his targets for 53 yards and had 12 carries for 37 yards. This was a very encouraging for the rookie.
• Keith Kirkwood - 17 (24%)
• Max Garcia - 12 (17%)
  Garcia was the jumbo man on the day and saw a few more snaps towards the end when the starters were pulled.
• Lynn Bowden Jr. - 9 (12%)
• Adam Prentice - 8 (11%)
• Jameis Winston, Tommy Kraemer - 7 (10%)
• Nephi Sewell - 3 (4%)
• Nick Saldiveri - 2 (3%)

Defense

The Saints defense pitched their first shutout since last year's 24-0 win over the Raiders in Week 8. Any time you see a defense on the NFL level limiting their opponent to just 1-of-14 on 3rd Down, that deserves big time praise. The Patriots totaled just 156 net yards on offense (45 rushing, 111 passing), with the defense forcing three turnovers plus two stops on downs. This was about as complete of a game the Saints played, and their defense put the clamps down on New England.

• Paulson Adebo - 54 (100%)
  Getting Adebo back was a good boost for the secondary. He finished with 3 solo tackles and 2 pass breakups.
• Jordan Howden - 53 (98%)
  Howden also provided a boost for the secondary returning to action while commanding his heavy wrap on his left hand. He made a great hit on the Pats receiver that resulted in a Pete Werner pick. He had 2 pass breakups as well and had a solo tackle. Tyrann Mathieu said after the game that he's going to make big plays in this league for a long time.
• Marshon Lattimore, Demario Davis, Tyrann Mathieu - 47
  Mathieu's pick-six provided the spark the Saints needed after Carl Granderson's big pressure and hit on Mac Jones. He's had a good track record at Gillette Stadium. Davis tied for the lead on defense with 6 combined tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted). Lattimore was right behind him with 5 tackles (4 solo, 1 assisted).
• Alontae Taylor - 41 (76%)
  Taylor shared the spotlight with Demario Davis with 6 total tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted). His strong tackling cannot go unnoticed.
• Cam Jordan - 36 (67%)
  Jordan split a sack with Tanoh Kpassagnon and recovered a fumble on the fake tush push play.
• Carl Granderson - 35 (65%)
  This was a stellar game for Carl Granderson. He had the hit on Mac Jones that led to the Mathieu pick-six, made several big run stops, and had a big sack that took the Patriots well out of field goal range. This was big proof for why the Saints paid him.
• Pete Werner - 31 (57%)
  Werner didn't have a ton of tackles this game (2 solo, 1 assisted), but had the pick and a pass breakup. He and Davis are really getting things done at linebacker this season, and it was a good bounce back game for Werner in particular.
• Bryan Bresee - 30 (56%)
  It's Week 5 and we're seeing Bresee drawing double teams. You love to see it. He didn't get on the stat sheet, but for good reason.
• Tanoh Kpassagnon - 27 (50%)
  Kpassagnon split the sack with Cam Jordan after meeting at the quarterback.
• Nathan Shepherd - 25 (46%)
• Johnathan Abram - 23 (43%)
• Isaiah Foskey, Malcolm Roach - 20 (37%)
• Khalen Saunders - 18 (33%)
• Zack Baun - 14 (26%)
• Isaac Yiadom, Ugo Amadi - 7 (13%)
• Daniel Sorensen - 5 (9%)

Special Teams (Top Reps)

I pointed this out yesterday during my takeaways, but the two field goals Blake Grupe made should not be overlooked. Those two he made from 54 and 53 yards should be appreciated, especially being that they came outdoors. This is a major confidence booster in a lot of ways.

• Zack Baun, Isaac Yiadom, D'Marco Jackson - 24
• Ty Summers, Nephi Sewell - 23
• Daniel Sorensen - 19
• J.T. Gray - 17