NEW ORLEANS — There is so much to like about the Saints' win in Indianapolis on what was not the defense's best day.
Paulson Adebo had a great game, but the Saints surrendered 371 yards and 27 points.
For the first time this season, the offense carried them to the win.
Derek Carr showed why the Saints went and got him, and the team showed a killer instinct down the stretch.
Here are my four takeaways:
#4 Carr dealer
Carr was dealing Sunday. We saw something click in the final quarter and a half against Jacksonville last week, and Carr built on that.
His numbers Sunday were his best yet as a Saint. Carr has played in 150 NFL games. By passer rating this was his 6th best game ever. And it wasn't just his numbers. He passed the eyeball test too. His decisions were quick, and he was especially good when it mattered.
Before the game, the Saints were 26th in 3rd down efficiency at 34 percent. They hit 50 percent on Sunday. If they hit that all season, they'd be first in the NFL.
#3 Out-coached the Colts
They out-coached 'em. Pete Carmichael had Indianapolis off-balance all game.
11 total yards 3-4 in the red zone. I loved the killer instinct to throw *deep.
On 3rd -and- 13 in the final three minutes, that Carr to Shaheed connection put the game on ice. Shaheed was a game-breaker. Everything Carmichael dialed up worked.
On the flipside, The Colts' Jonathan Taylor ran for 94 yards in the first half. The saints couldn't stop him. He got the ball on the first play of the second half. Then he didn't run it again over the colts last 26 plays of the game.
While the Saints were picking Indianapolis apart the Colts' playcalling made no sense.
#2 O-line performs
It was by far Their best game yet. Carr was sacked just once and the Saints ran the ball effectively, especially in the second half.
4.5 yards a rush against the Colts. The Colts defense was 11th best before this game. They allowed just 3.8 yards a rush.
Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill ran all over 'em behind an offensive line that played well. Khalen Saunders as a fullback is just fun as hell to watch. He's gonna hurt somebody
#1 Optimism takes root
You can have real optimism going forward.
Both the Falcons and the Bucs lost. Atlanta is technically first in the division but also at 4-4, and I think the Saints are better.
The next two opponents before the bye are both reeling. The Bears are 2-6 and may or may not have Justin Fields. The Vikings 4-4 definitely won't have Kirk Cousins. He's out for the season with a torn Achilles.
There's absolutely an opportunity right now to get on a little roll, and there's genuine offensive momentum to make you believe it's possible.
The hope before this game was that the last quarter and a half against the Jaguars would serve as momentum For Indianapolis.
It did now we've seen it, and maybe this is just the start.
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