Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Drew Brees made his return from the thumb injury and helped lead the Saints to a home win over the Cardinals. Here are my observations:
The Good
-Unlike the school in his hometown that passed on him, Drew Brees is back folks! He was 34/43 for 373 yards with three touchdowns and an interception (more on that later). The offense looked like it was running on all cylinders with Brees under center mainly because...
-...Latavius Murray and Michael Thomas ate big! Murray filled in nicely for Alvin Kamara as he totaled 30 touches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Thomas made sure to welcome back Cardinals' top corner Patrick Peterson back in style by catching every target with Peterson guarding him, including carrying into the endzone for a touchdown. There's a reason he came into the game leading the league in targets, receptions, and receiving yards.
-The defense logged their fifth consecutive game in a row allowing less than 300 total yards of offense. They sacked Kyler Murray three times and completely stiffleed the run game by allowing a paltry 13 yards. This defense is legit. They stepped up in Brees' absence and have continued to play at a high level. Ih this unit keeps it up, I feel sorry for the rest of the NFL. (*That last statement is a complete lie and a fake attempt at sounding like I care.)
The Bad
-Brees took a shot down field to fullback Zach Line while he was double covered and threw a pick. This was one of the plays Brees will take a shot on regardless of what he sees because of his faith in his arm and receivers. If it were Thomas, yes. But the fullback?
-As good as this defense has played, they whiffed a few times on sacking Murray. I know. I know. The kid is as slippery as an eel bathed in Vaseline swimming in lotion, but when you have a free rusher multiple times totally miss on a sack, it's frustrating to watch.
-While Thomas and Murray did their thing, I have the same complaint when Kamara is playing: over-reliance on this duo. What happens when a team keys in on Thomas and Kamara/Murray? I'm fully confident they'll spread the ball around and generate offense, but this will continue to be a worry.
The Ugly
-After he missed a 47-yard field goal on the opening drive, I'm almost convinced Will Lutz has something in his head. A fart on your brain as my grandfather would call it. He's now missed three in the last two games. With the offense back on track and the defense playing lights out, now isn't the time for the kicker to get the yips.
-Twice the defense blew coverages and gave up big plays: once on a flea flicker, the other on one of the previously mentioned plays in which Murray was able to elude a free rusher.
-Yeah...I've got nothing here. No injuries to report this week thank God. Although Erik McCoy went down early, he came back. This team can't afford any injuries. Health is a major concern, but the next man up mentality has proven fruitful.
Beating inferior teams is what good teams do. The Cardinals aren't necessarily a bad team per se, but they aren't on the Saints' level. Towards th eend of the game, both teasms offered up the huma white flags in forms of backup quarterbacks. Teddt Bridgewater got a rousing ovation along with "Teddy! Teddy! Teddy!" chants from the home crowd. There were a few onions being cut here considering the love he was showed after what he's been through and how he led this team to a 5-0 record in Brees' absence. The Saints now get rest week before playing the woeful Falcons. Hopefully, they'll get a few guys back form injury (and P.J. Williams is eligible to return from suspension) and can continue their winning ways.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Houston Astros secured a 7-4 victory over the New York Mets, fueled by dominant pitching performances and a late offensive surge.
Hunter Brown set the tone early, delivering a dominant start with four scoreless innings while striking out six. His command and poise on the mound kept the Mets' hitters off balance, showcasing why the Astros have high expectations for the young right-hander.
Josh Hader followed with a scoreless fifth inning, and Bryan Abreu continued the trend with a shutout sixth. Abreu also flashed his athleticism, making a slick play off the mound to throw out a runner at first.
Things took a turn in the seventh when Tayler Scott struggled, allowing three hits and walking the bases loaded with two outs. Donovan Walton capitalized, crushing a high fastball for a grand slam to put the Mets up 4-0. Despite his rocky outing, Scott ended up with the win as Houston mounted a comeback.
Brendan Rodgers helped ignite the rally, slashing a ground-rule double to cut the deficit to 4-2. He later told the Astros’ broadcast team that he has been working to shorten his swing. Jose Altuve then delivered in the clutch, ripping a double down the left-field line to even the score at 4-4. Moments later, Luis Guillorme singled to right, bringing home Altuve and giving the Astros a 5-4 lead.
Houston kept the momentum going in the eighth, tacking on two more runs for insurance. Steven Okert continued his impressive spring, striking out the side in the eighth while keeping his hitless streak intact. Logan VanWey sealed the victory with a scoreless ninth, earning the save.
With another strong team effort, the Astros showed resilience and depth as they continue to prepare for the regular season.
*ChatGPT assisted.