Carolina Panthers (0-1) – New Orleans Saints (1-0): 10-47
For this first match made in NFC South, the Saints did not do things by halves against the Panthers. It only took 2 minutes and 52 seconds for Rashid Shaheed to score the first touchdown of the season for New Orleans on a 59-yard bomb. All eyes were then on Bryce Young for his first snap of the season. After a disappointing rookie year, the first pick of the 2023 draft must do better and he knows it. Result: a nasty interception on his first pass. And the problems are only just beginning for the Panthers. The Saints press where it hurts. Carolina's ground defense gives the impression of organizing an open house. The team is stunned and concedes 17 points in the first quarter. The Panthers do not do themselves any favors. Two sacks for Young, a fumble by Jonathan Mingo, penalties and the bill gets even heavier. Carr finished the half with 3 touchdowns, and even though the felines managed to score a field goal in the final seconds, the score looked like a humiliation: 30-3 for the Saints. It was the first time in 60 games that New Orleans had scored so many points in the first half.
We then say to ourselves that the Panthers can't do any worse after the locker room. But yes, Bryce Young is not impossible: another interception on his first throw of the second half. Behind, the Saints roll out and have fun. Everyone goes for their touchdown: 5 in total with 5 different players. Bryce Young scores a touchdown on the ground on fourth attempt and somewhat truncates his stat sheet with a pair of successful throws. But the numbers don't lie: 13/30, 161 yards, 2 interceptions. Opposite, his counterpart makes a very clean copy with a nice 19/23, 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is well helped by Alvin Kamara 15 balls carried, 83 yards on the ground, 1 touchdown, 5 receptions and 25 yards in the air.
The Saints thrash the Panthers who didn't seem to be doing the same job today: 47 to 10 for Dennis Allen's men. Dave Canales and his players will have to do much better, if only in attitude, otherwise the season risks seeming very long in North Carolina.
Bryce Young close to the unacceptable
Beyond his already rather telling stat line, it's the manner that worries Bryce Young even more. The young quarterback looked lost on the field. The most worrying thing may be his inaccuracy, shameful for a first draft pick. On the two interceptions, Young grossly missed his targets and offered two ready-made gifts to the Saints. On the second in particular, he missed Adam Thielen by several meters by misjudging his power… And several of his throws should have been completed passes for an NFL thrower.
Young is playing panicked and lacking patience. He ran into his own linemen several times. He got rid of the ball several times without really looking for a solution. He held onto it too long on sacks he saw coming. Young no longer has the excuse of being a rookie and his mistakes are worrisome for a second-year player. Sure, his offensive line is far from the best in the league, but the Saints defense didn't particularly excel today and wasn't the most aggressive. Still, the former Alabama player seemed disoriented with every play.
Coaching problem, stress, lack of support? It is still too early to definitively qualify the young quarterback as bust. His first performance of the season will not silence his detractors, however. He will have to do better, at least in attitude, if he does not want to see Andy Dalton take the lead.
The Saints in tune
While it's hard to really learn from a game against such a listless team, the Saints have reason to be pleased with their home opener, especially on offense. All players were involved, as evidenced by the five touchdown scorers: Shaheed, Moreau and Johnson passing, Kamara and Williams on the ground. Taysom Hill made some big plays. The only downside may be Chris Olave's performance: 11 yards on two receptions. Nevertheless, the receiver didn't need to force himself today and will have the opportunity to contribute throughout the season. Kamara confirms his status as a team leader and is off to a good start to the season, in search of a new contract.
THE play-calling was rather relevant with good alternations between the pass and the ground game, a good use of the runners but also of the offensive line. It responded to some uncertainties (due to injuries in particular) against a defensive line that was certainly timid, but with talented players like Derrick Brown.
This great victory allows the Saints to start the season on the right foot and quickly gain confidence in a division that is more open than ever. First real test of the season next week against the Cowboys.
