To start the COVID-19 version of the NFL opening weekend, the New Orleans Saints wanted to come out and make a statement against a divisional foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints’ defense would lead the way in the 34-23 win over Tom Brady and the new look Buccaneers’. The Saints’ defense with their physical style of play caused turnovers that immensely helped the team capture their first win of the 2020 season.
Here are a few Saints players/units that saw their stock rise or fall against the Buccaneers:
STOCK UP
1). RB Alvin Kamara
More than 24 hours before the season opener, Kamara agreed to a five-year $75M contract extension that included a $15M signing bonus with $34M guaranteed. He proved on Sunday that he is worth the money spent.
After a slow start, the four-year pro would score the Saints’ first touchdown of the season.
The Norcross, Georgia native had success, but the Buccaneers defense made sure he earned every yard.
“They weren’t doing too much. We started slow. We needed to get into a flow”, Kamara said. “It was the first game. I am sure we will look at the film and see the things that we could have done better. I don’t think they did too much to deter us from what we wanted to do. We need to get into our own flow.”
Kamara finished the game with 16 rushing yards on 12 attempts and 51 receiving yards on five receptions. He also added a rushing and receiving touchdown. Kamara had the 14th career multi-touchdown game of his career and fourth game accomplishing the feat against Tampa Bay, which is the most of any opponent.
JACKRABBIT PICK-6! 🙌
📺: @NFLonFOX | #Saints pic.twitter.com/SYJV6OG36w
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 13, 2020
2). Janoris Jenkins
Since joining the Saints with two regular-season games remaining in 2019, Jenkins has shown that he is a tenacious and physical top tier corner. In Week 1, his scrappy play would be a tone-setter for the
defense. The Pahokee, Florida native, would make a momentum-changing play that occurred due to his diligent film study.
On the fifth play of the third quarter, with the Buccaneers on their 32-yard line and facing second-and-15 after a penalty, Jenkins’s film study noticed a play that Tampa Bay ran last season. Jenkins read it correctly and quickly slipped in front of Buc’s WR Justin Watson for his first interception of the season.
Jenkins’ 36-yard interception return for a touchdown was the eighth defensive touchdown he has scored in his NFL career, putting him in a tie for eighth-most in league history.
JACKRABBIT PICK-6! 🙌
📺: @NFLonFOX | #Saints pic.twitter.com/SYJV6OG36w
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 13, 2020
STOCK DOWN
1) Saints Offense
The New Orleans Saints offense got off to a super slow start by only gaining 39-yards in two possessions in the first quarter. Through their first three series of the first half, Payton’s offensive unit only had 103 yards on 20 plays with one touchdown.
New Orleans benefited from the stellar play of their defense.
Payton mentioned in his post-game presser that his play calling was poor.
If the Saints want to consistently have a chance to win against the better teams in the NFL, they must improve their offensive efficiency.
Payton very complimentary of the Saints defense and special teams
on the offense:
"That's as bad of a game that I have had as a play caller. Trying to find a rhythm and tempo. It was awful." pic.twitter.com/QtXCQZMFwr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 14, 2020