Through two games, the New Orleans Saints offense looks unstoppable. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has this unit running like a well-oiled machine. This week their victim was the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to another long touchdown to Rashid Shaheed and four scores from Alvin Kamara, the Saints destroyed the Cowboys 44-19. New Orleans has put up over 40 points in each of their first two games. The only other time they accomplished that was in 2009. Obviously, Saints fans are hoping for the same outcome.
As I mentioned in my game preview, Dallas has trouble running the ball. They managed just 68 yards on 21 carries and only three of those runs went for more than five yards. With the Saints jumping on the scoreboard early and often, Dak Prescott was forced into throwing the ball 39 times against a solid New Orleans defense. He was sacked three times and threw two picks. The Cowboys offense has managed just three touchdowns this season. Despite scoring 52 so far, Brandon Aubrey and a kick return from KaVontae Turpin have accounted for 31 of those points.
Derek Carr was efficient on his 16 passes. He moved the chains eight times and tossed a couple of touchdowns. Kamara was the star of the show. He ran in three scores and caught another. The Saints running back had 180 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. Shaheed again had a big play for a touchdown. In the first quarter, he caught a 70-yard pass from Carr to make the score 14-3. The Saints got in the end zone on their first six possessions.
Ride Your Horses
The Saints mixed up their personnel a bunch last week against the Carolina Panthers. Kamara, Shaheed, and Chris Olave accounted for 15 of 37 carries and 10 of 19 catches. Kubiak decided to count on his main guys in this blowout of the Cowboys. In this game, the same three players accounted for 24 of 39 carries and 10 of 11 catches. While New Orleans has some solid pieces on offense like Jamaal Williams, Taysom Hill, and Juwan Johnson, sometimes you need to let the big dogs eat.
Pounding the Rock
Not counting Carr's one-yard touchdown or Jake Haener's kneeldowns, the Saints ran the ball 35 times for 192 yards (5.5 yards per carry). The offensive line was blowing holes for Kamara and crew all day, making the Cowboys defensive front look like Swiss cheese. However, their pass blocking took a slight step back. Although Carr was sacked only once, he was hurried seven times and pressured on nine of his 16 dropbacks.
Johnnie's Three Stars
1st Star: Alvin Kamara (115 rushing yards 3 TD's, 65 receiving yards, 1 TD)
2nd Star: Rashid Shaheed (13 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards, 1 TD)
3rd Star: Carl Granderson (6 QB pressures, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles)
Up Next: Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 EST Sunday, September 22nd
The Saints will try to keep things rolling against another NFC rival. The combination of the New Orleans offense (#1) and Philly's defense (#27) calls for another big day from Kubiak's offense. The Saints are favored by 2.5 and the Over/Under is 49.5. If all goes as it should, the over will be easy. However, Marshon Lattimore is expected back for the Saints' defense which could go a long way in curtailing A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 38, Philadelphia Eagles 22
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