After a re-watch, I've gathered a number of observations and thoughts about what I saw. It's a little bit more than my first gut reaction as I was watching it live, but it's not quite a studied analysis. Some things jump out of the screen and other things are a little bit more subtle; some things may seem one way and then reveal themselves as different upon further study, so I reserve the right to be incorrect.

General

Nearly 1,000 yards of combined total offense in this game (993 yds)

NO's 5'10" WRs v OAK's 6'3" CBs favored Saints Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead combined for 15 rec, 315 yards, 3 TDs and 22 yards of penalties

Saints used quite a bit of 3 TE sets (13 Personnel) and also 22 Personnel

Saints OTs held up well against Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin Had some help from TEs and backs chipping Quick passing scheme helped also. RT Zach Strief anchored against Mack's power. LT Terron Armstead's athleticism is impressive. I loved him in the 2012 draft and he was the OT I was hoping for instead of Menelik. The former Defensive End is really turning out.

Khalil and Bruce showed a few things, though. They're gonna feast at some point and it's going to be amazing. They both revealed some new moves including that much anticipated Mack Dip Saints first drive in the 4th quarter, Mack and Irvin came with the heat. Got hits, but couldn't quite get to Brees in time.

Drew Brees was getting the ball out QUICK. Almost every pass came out under 3s and several under 2s.

Stunts and line games had no chance of getting to Brees

Derek Carr's "touch" on his throws is much improved. He throws much more catchable balls now, especially to closer receivers.

Derek still gets the quick trigger and throws backing up when he feels nearby pressure and the accuracy and timing reflects it

Derek had some impressive "stand in the pocket" throws also.

I see what the coaching staff was raving about with Jalen Richard : Natural quicks and pure runner's instincts. watch how he makes a hard cut to get DT #92 John Jenkins to jump out of the hole



HUGE props to the OL and Mike Tice for adapting on the fly That was tough work and at a key part of the game. Donald Penn still struggled, though. I think he was struggling a bit at LT even before the move

OL chemistry is still a work in progress

KO was killing some guys Worth every penny.

Amari's 43 yard rec was a major turning point in the game Down 24-13 with 12:21 in the 4th quarter on 1st-and-20 after Michael Crabtree's OPI. If they punt and Brees gets the ball back, the game could get out of hand. But then this :



We'll only remember Coach Del Rio's gutsy call at the end, but remember Coach Payton's 4th down call in the first quarter? Down 10-3 with 4th-and-goal at the 2 yard line, essentially where a 2 Point Conversion sets up and the Saints go for it. Shilique then gets the offsides penalty Then they converted the TD on 4th-and-1.

10 men on the field for first TD coming out of a timeout. It looks like the defense actually played it pretty well except they were down 1 man. If they had 11 on the field, they may have held on that down



Defensively, lots of rookies and young players against Sean Payton / Drew Brees and looked like it

Amari had 4 rec of 20+ yards (21, 34, 35, and 43). Ended up with 137 yards and made it look easy. He's going to have a 200 yard game this year He's so smooth and effortless; just call him "silk"

I like the 4-RB rotation (Lats, Jam, Jalen, DeAndre) Lats was fighting and getting some tough carries Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are situational backs, but not "3rd down backs", meaning right now, they aren't going to carry the ball 20 times, but they are not limited to any particular down or any particular play. They can run full set of plays and give a different look / feel to the opposing defense. Lots of RB lining up wide. Richard and Washington in particular look to be effective; they are very "natural pass catchers". Taiwan Jones scares the heck out of me everytime he touches the ball

Crabtree's fire is awesome. He's like our version of Michael Irvin Clutch hands Drops his head and fights for yards, especially first down.

So. Many. Mistakes. Just a mess out there at times.

I love you, Seth Roberts. Tough drop, but then he always comes back clutch on 2nd chance.

Carr had Seth open on that play where the ball was tipped. It really was that close.

Sean Smith struggled He did NOT play well, but some of those pass completions were a product of Brees' ridiculous accuracy I think Sean Smith is still adapting to Ken Norton's scheme a bit. Had a very tough time getting a jam on the WRs and b/c of the Saints' quick pass offense, Smith needed to play up close I think Smith will show up big against Julio Jones.

Seabass : "Indoors? No dirt? No problem!"

Keith McGill had a good game Some nice Force plays on run defense TE Coby Fleener held to 4 targets, 1 rec, 6 yards Noticed him some, but need to study All-22 to get good sense of how he played

Marquette was on point. But that downed punt at the 2 yard line was totally wasted

No Quit in this team. The offense never missed a beat when the defense struggled against Brees. They were strictly business and just got back out there. Derek the Terminator : "Listen, and understand! Derek Carr is out there! He can't be bargained with. He can't be reasoned with. He doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!"

