Saints 2023 Week 2 Recap

Jamie UK • September 19, 2023

Team Stats 

(Saints/Panthers)

Final Score: 20-17

First downs: 23-14

3rd down efficiency: 7/16 - 4/14

Total yards: 341 - 239

Red Zone Efficiency: 2/4 - 1/3

Penalties: 3 for 32 yards - 6 for 35 yards 

Turnovers: 1- 1

Time of possession: 32:49- 27:11


Not perfect but a tough, gritty and frankly ugly win again for the Saints in yet another offensive struggle and defensive masterclass. Even a first down felt like a win for both of the respective offenses. This game had very similar DNA to last week’s win against the Titans, an ugly Carr interception, inept offense in the fast half, elite play from the Saints defense throughout, with the offense finally showing signs of life in the second half and making just enough plays to win.  Let’s dive into the main takeaways.


Takeaways


Offense

        I could almost copy and paste my thoughts on the offense from last week here, this game felt very similar in many ways. Protection issues still loom large however, this week it wasn’t just the left side of the line that was guilty of drive killing plays. Ryan Ramczyk and Cesar Ruiz had two brutal beats; Ramczyk lost quickly to a speed rush early in the game.  Ruiz got blown up by LB Frankie Luvu, badly to remind you Luvu isn’t a pass rusher he’s an off-ball LB and he drove Ruiz back in very unflattering fashion. Penning overall had his issues but was better this week, especially in the run game, which surprised me last week how poor he was in that area.


        Carr struggled mightily in the first half again, he looked even worse than last week. He had yet another head scratching interception where he threw to Chris Olave in triple coverage, the pass was intercepted by former Saints safety Vonn Bell. Red zone woes continued with some of the blame falling at Carr’s door and some again on pass protection. The Saints were 0-2 in the red zone in the first half having to settle for 2 field goals inside the Panthers 10-yard line.


        Fortunately, Carr improved in the second half, finding Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for game changing 40+ yard passes. Olave’s catch being an early contender for catch of the year, his right arm was being held (no flag, shock!) then he tipped the ball to himself with his free arm and completed an incredible catch (see below). 

        Crucially Carr and the offense managed to convert both of these big plays into touchdowns in the red zone, both short runs by Tony Jones Jr (his first NFL touchdowns). Jones Jr. filled in amicably as the Saints only active RB* when Jamaal Williams left with a hamstring injury.


        The * above is to highlight; Yes Jones Jr. was technically the only active RB but he didn’t have to carry the load alone. Taysom ‘Mr. Perfect’, ‘the Closer’ Hill was excellent (as he usually is when used correctly) Pete Carmichael got Taysom’s usage pretty spot on apart from taking him of the field on a 3rd and 2 late in the game with Saints around midfield, Carr was sacked on the play. We can only hope that this usage of Taysom continue, there’s no to stop until somebody proves they can stop it consistently.


        Final point of the offense, Mike Thomas single handily kept the offense alive in the first half, catching 7 passes from 9 targets for 55 yards. All the catches were tough, physical contested catches, truly vintage Mike Thomas plays. Highlighted by a 19- yard catch down the right sideline where Thomas secured the catch right on the boundary. One thing is clear for the offense, they’ve done enough in these first two games but the slow starts cannot continue as they killed the Saints last year and will start to this year if not corrected.


Defense

        The defense was excellent again and until the Saints decided to run a soft, prevent style defense late in the game looked all but certain to finish their second straight game without allowing a touchdown.


        They were not helped by the offense or special teams, with both at times leaving the defense with a short field to defend. They responded by holding the Panthers to field goals and forcing a crucial turnover when Carl Granderson hustled to force the ball free from the scrambling Bryce Young with the Panthers threatening inside the Saints 20.

The defensive line was great again against both run and pass, Cam Jordan looked ageless I counted at least 4 pressures, and he should have had a strip sack of his own, but it was called back due to silly defensive hold by Paulson Adebo. All 4 of the defensive interior looked even more dominant this week than last, with the standouts being Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd. Bresee took a soul on the rush where Cam followed up had the forced fumble. 


        The secondary was really good again specifically Marshon Lattimore, he stated after the game that he was not responsible for giving up a single catch and came away with another PBU to add to his tally. Alontae Taylor looks to be taking positive strides in the slot, he’s particularly showed improvement in his open field tackling and is becoming a real force player near in the line of scrimmage for this defense. To add, he nearly had an interception and would of snagged it if not for some all-pro pass defense from Panthers WR Adam Thielen.


Saints Stock Exchange (Sponsored By… Nobody)
        Just a quick hit section each week to highlight which Saints players have their stock value increasing and decreasing after each game, 3 up and 3 down:


Stock up

Taysom Hill 

Cam Jordan

Chris Olave


        Hill needs no explanation the Panthers couldn’t stop him. Jordan looked brilliant against run and pass and gave RT Taylor Moton (who’s a highly paid tackle) the business, especially with power. Final up for me, is Chris Olave his spectacular catch changed the game for the Saints and looks like a superstar in the making, Pete just needs to make sure he’s involved much earlier going forward.


Stock Down

Cesar Ruiz

Paulson Adebo

Lou Hedley


        It may be harsh to have Ruiz here, but after receiving a new deal you can’t get blown up by an off-ball LB who you have about an 80 pound weight advantage over. Adebo was guilty of 2 of the Saints 3 penalties, the DPI late in the game was soft but the defensive hold that wiped out the Bresee and Jordan strip sack was not soft it was a clear hold and wiped of a huge play that could have changed the game. The Saints would have had 1st and 10 at the Panthers 14, instead the Saints offense ended up starting on their own 3 after a punt (an 83-yard swing in field position) these kinds of penalties have plagued Adebo so far and can’t continue to happen at crucial moments.


        After being an honorable mention in the up section last week, Hedley had a rough week. He gifted the Panthers a short field after a poor 29-yard punt, which the Panthers ended up turning into 3 points. He also punted a 49 yarder into the end zone for a touchback giving the Panthers much better field position than they should have had, which they again turned into 3 points. There was always going to be growing pains for the former Aussie rules player but in games like this you cannot have your punter costing you points.


Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @SaintsReportUK, for much more Saints content and discussion throughout the 2023 season and beyond.

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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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