NEW ORLEANS — Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf makes this a very serious week in South Louisiana, but Sunday in the Superdome was a party.
The truth is, New Orleans' 37-point win in the opener probably says less about how great the Saints are and more about how terrible the Panthers are.
The Saints beat a similarly terrible Patriots team early last season by 34. It's a lopsided win over a bad team, but the truth is, lopsided wins don't come easily in the NFL.
We'll start our '4 Takeaways.'
4) Focus Grupe
Last season, then-rookie Blake Grupe missed seven field goals. Only two NFL kickers missed more.
In today's NFL, 81 percent as a kicker isn't good enough.
And the Saints brought in competition for Grupe in training camp. Irish Charlie Smyth has a cannon for a leg.
But Grupe did enough to beat him out, and in Week 1 he rewarded head coach Dennis Allen with the best kicking performance of his life.
Grupe went 4 for 4 in field goals – two of more than 50 yards, including his career high of 57. And he was 5 of 5 in extra points – 9 for 9 is a great start to the season.
A confident, successful kicker is gonna be really important for a team that wants to run the ball and play defense.
3) Overwhelming Defense
Speaking of defense, the Saints 'D' completely overwhelmed Bryce Young and the Panthers.
One week into the NFL season, the Saints are second in the league in total defense and tied for the league lead in takeaways with three.
Dennis Allen's blitz package was brilliant.
Defensive back Alontae Taylor came clean three times and he did not miss.
Young had a terrible rookie season, and Sunday that quarterback rating was the worst of his now 17-game NFL career.
Honestly, though, this isn't really surprising.
We expected the Saints to be good on defense.
And in Week 1, they absolutely were.
2) Carr / O-line Excels
Derek Carr and his offensive line are off to a great start.
Carr has now played 160 NFL games.
Do you know where Sunday's game ranks for Carr? In his list of 160 starts, it was his second-best game ever.
Do you know what his best game ever was?
It was last season's finale against the Atlanta Falcons.
Let me say that again.
The two best games of Derek Carr's 11-year NFL career are the last two he's played in.
And the O-line drove Carolina off the ball. Do you know how many times the Saints ran for 180 yards in a game last season?
Zero.
Which brings me to No. 1.
1) Kubiak Aces 1st Test
Saints' new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak aced his first test.
Again, I know, it won't be his most difficult test. But it's a great start.
The Saints ran it more than they threw it, and the team's three-headed monster at running back is really talented.
The Saints converted 54 percent of their third downs.
If they did this all season, they'd be best in the NFL.
But more than anything else, it was the eyeball test.
Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill – and the entire O-line – looked comfortable in the new offense.
There was no confusion, no learning pains. It was efficient and fun to watch.
It'll be extremely interesting to see how it translates in Week 2 on the road against a playoff-caliber team – the Dallas Cowboys.
But until then, enjoy the win.
