Week 1 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 23, Carolina Panthers 20

What you need to know

New Orleans Saints

Despite the adverse circumstances facing them in the aftermath of Katrina, the New Orleans Saints came out fired up and well prepared for their season opener. Although the final score would indicate that this was a close contest, the Saints seemed to be in control of this game most of the way. Their preparedness was evident on the game’s opening drive, when the Saints took nine minutes off the clock before Deuce McAllister punched it into the end zone on a four yard run.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Saints heavily utilized Deuce McAllister and the run game. Although McAllister gained just 64 total yards on 26 carries, he was the focus of the Saints’ offense, particularly in the red zone. He finished the day with two touchdowns on runs of four and two yards.

Although he did not complete a touchdown pass, Aaron Brooks played a solid game. He threw the ball with confidence and accuracy, and was particularly effective on the drive that led to the Saints’ game-winning field goal at the end of the game. His only obvious mistake of the day occurred on a red zone fumble on a play when the defense did not even touch him. Brooks finished the day with 18 completions in 24 attempts for a total of 192 passing yards.

The Saints threw to their wide receivers sparingly, with Joe Horn and Donte’ Stallworth managing just 66 and 47 yards, respectively. At the tight end position, Ernie Conwell emerged as a favorite target of Aaron Brooks. Conwell pulled in six catches for 71 yards before he left the game after taking a helmet to helmet shot in the second half.

Carolina Panthers

Picked in the preseason by many to contend for the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers looked somewhat unpolished on both sides of the football. The Panthers’ defensive front four was dealt an early blow when Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins left the game with a sprained right knee. Although he would return later in the game for brief period, the Panthers’ run defense was at times soft in the middle, with both of McAllister’s touchdowns going between the tackles. The Panthers registered no sacks or interceptions in the game.

Offensively, the Panthers moved the ball well at times, but poor execution and several poor decisions by Jake Delhomme resulted in costly turnovers. Both of Delhomme’s two interceptions came on under thrown passes on which the defensive back was able to jump the route. Delhomme showed strong chemistry with wide receiver Steve Smith, who was back in action after spending virtually all of the 2004 season on injured reserve. The duo connected for 138 yards and a touchdown.

In the running game, Stephen Davis got the start and rushed 13 times. He shared time with DeShaun Foster who saw nine carries and three receptions. A key difference was that Davis was in the game for most short yardage and obvious run situations, while Foster was in the game in virtually all passing situations. Overall, Davis had the more impressive day, finishing with 81 yards on the ground and a touchdown. His totals included a long run of 39 yards. Foster finished the day with 41 yards on the ground, and 15 receiving yards.

What you ought to know

QB Aaron Brooks, Pass: 18 - 24 - 192 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 32 - 0

Brooks had a solid overall game. He showed good pocket awareness, and proved adept at eluding pressure, opening up throwing lanes, and finding open receivers. Although he did not find the end zone, he made confident accurate throws when called upon, and led an effective two minute offense to get his team into position for a game winning field goal at the end of the game. Brooks also scrambled for 32 total yards, with 22 of them on a play to sustain a critical Saints’ fourth quarter drive. Brooks’ lone gaffe of the day was a costly one, occurring when he lost a fumble on a ball that simply squirted out of his hands even though he was untouched by the defense. He’s still the same easy going Aaron Brooks though as he was laughing on the sideline after an incomplete pass to Joe Horn forced the Saints the punt the ball away leading by just three points and 3:13 left on the clock.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 26 - 64 - 2, Rec: 2 - 5 - 0 (2 targets)

McAllister was the primary workhorse for the Saints’ offense, as he carried the ball 26 times on the day. McAllister was used heavily on the Saints’ first series, which culminated in a yard touchdown run between the tackles. McAllister’s second touchdown came on a two yard run between the tackles. McAllister was unable to break a big run against the Panthers, but he was effective at wearing down their defense nonetheless. He also saw plenty of action in the red zone. In addition to his two touchdowns, McAllister received five straight carries inside the Panthers’ ten yard line during one second half series.

RB Antowain Smith, Rush: 3 - 2 - 0

Smith saw limited action in relief of Deuce McAllister. He had three carries for a total of two yards.

RB Aaron Stecker, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0

Stecker had just one carry for three yards in relief of Deuce McAllister.

WR Joe Horn, Rec: 5 - 66 - 0 (8 targets)

Horn had a relatively quiet game, with 64 yards on five catches. Most of his production came late in the game, when he had two big catches in the final minute with the Saints trying to move into FG territory. Horn also had an uncharacteristic drop on a critical third down play late in the fourth quarter. Horn was not targeted in the red zone in this game.

WR Donte Stallworth, Rec: 4 - 47 - 0 (6 targets)

Stallworth was effective when called upon catching four of the six passes thrown his way. He notched just 47 yards on the four catches and was targeted once in the red zone.

TE Ernie Conwell, Rec: 6 - 71 - 0 (8 targets)

Pay attention here. Conwell emerged in this game as a new favorite target of Brooks. Taking over at the tight end position for the injured Boo Williams, Conwell effectively worked the middle of the field including some deeper routes. He caught nearly everything thrown his way, and made a number of highly acrobatic catches. However, Conwell was knocked out of the game in the third quarter after he was absolutely clobbered while trying to make a leaping catch in the middle of the field. He had to be helped off of the field and did not return to the game. The word was a “displaced” jaw but after the game he appeared to be just fine in the locker room talking to reporters with no problem.

PK John Carney 3 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 11 points

Carney was perfect on the day, hitting two extra points and three field goals, including the 47 yard game winner with three seconds remaining in game.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints looked vulnerable to the run at times, allowing a 39 yard run to Stephen Davis and one rushing touchdown. However, the Saints did a nice job of preventing the Panthers’ running attack from getting into any sort of rhythm, and were generally effective at keeping Davis and Foster in check.

NO Pass Defense

The Saints’ pass defense played a solid game, getting pressure on Delhomme up front, and also applying effective coverage on the Panthers’ receivers downfield. The Saints forced a key red zone fumble at the end of the first half when they collapsed the pocket around Delhomme. Notably, the Saints fumbled away both of their Delhomme interceptions during the subsequent returns.

QB Jake Delhomme, Pass: 19 - 31 - 212 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 17 - 0

Delhomme had an inconsistent performance. At times he showed great patience in the pocket, making some brilliant throws to connect with his receivers. But at other times, Delhomme made ill advised throws, particularly on his two interceptions, which were thrown late and without adequate velocity. On both balls, the defensive back was able to undercut the route and come up with the interception. Delhomme showed a strong dependence for Steve Smith, who was back on the field after missing most of the 2004 season. The two connected on a 33 yard touchdown pass and catch early in the game. It looked like the chemistry between the two was just as strong as ever.

RB Stephen Davis, Rush: 13 - 81 - 1

Davis got the start in this game, despite seeing very limited action in the preseason. Although he split carries with DeShaun Foster throughout the game, Davis made the most of his 13 attempts. He ran with power between the tackles, and found increasing running room as the game wore on. Late in the fourth quarter he broke a 39 yard run on a sweep to the right side. He would have scored a touchdown, but he was caught and tackled from behind at the six yard line. On the same drive, Davis rumbled into the end zone from the one yard line for his lone touchdown of the game. Notably, Davis was used in most short yardage and pure running situations, while Foster saw more action on passing downs.

RB DeShaun Foster, Rush: 9 - 41 - 0, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Foster did not get the start in this game, but he shared carries with Stephen Davis on the Panthers’ first series and throughout the game. Foster carried the ball just nine times, but also had three receptions in the passing game. For the most part, Foster was used on second and third downs, and in obvious passing situations. Foster did get one red zone carry at the six yard line, but this occurred while Davis was catching a breather after his 39 yard run. Foster did not see any other red zone action.

RB Nick Goings, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (2 targets)

Goings fumbled on a kick return in the third quarter when the ball was knocked out by the left hand of his own teammate, but Carolina recovered. Goings was used sparingly, but did have two big catches on the Panthers’ game tying drive late in the fourth quarter.

WR Steve Smith, Rec: 8 - 138 - 1 (16 targets)

Smith looked extremely impressive in his first regular season game after last season’s leg injury. He caught the first ball thrown his way on a fade pattern for a 24 yard gain. This catch was followed up by his lone touchdown reception of the day – a short comeback route caught at Saints’ 22 yard line on which he broke a tackle and then waltzed into the end zone. Throughout the rest of the afternoon, Smith and Delhomme showed uncanny chemistry, connecting six times for 138 yards. Smith made several incredibly acrobatic catches. He also had a touchdown catch nullified at the end of the first half due to illegal touching. His 16 total targets included three targets in the end zone, not including his touchdown. Two of these targets were passes on which he made incredible catches, but was ruled out of bounds. Smith was also used as a punt returner.

WR Keary Colbert, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (4 targets)

Colbert was not a prominent target for Delhomme, as he managed just 11 total yards on two receptions. He was targeted in the end zone at the end of the first half, but could not hold onto the ball on what would have been a great diving catch.

WR Ricky Proehl (4 targets)

Proehl did not play a large role in the Panthers’ offense, but he did have a 39 yard catch. He also had a long run and catch of almost 50 yards that was called back due to a holding penalty. Proehl also had a terrific touchdown catch nullified for illegal touching.

WR Rod Gardner

Rod Gardner was on the inactive list.

TE Kris Mangum, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (5 targets)

Mangum was Delhomme’s second favorite target in this game. His five targets included two red zone looks. He finished with two catches for 22 yards.

TE Mike Seidman (1 targets)

Seidman had no catches in the game, but was targeted once in the end zone.

PK John Kasay 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Kasay was perfect on the day, delivering on field goals of 39 and 46 yards in addition to two extra points.

CAR Rush Defense

The Panthers’ rush defense was dealt a serious blow when defensive tackle Kris Jenkins sprained his knee on the first series of the game. However, after allowing Deuce McAllister and the Saints to pound the ball in the run game early on, the Panthers were ultimately able to contain the Saints’ running game. The Panthers allowed just 101 total yards on the ground.

CAR Pass Defense

The Panthers’ pass defense failed to register any sacks on the day, but did a nice job in pass coverage. They kept all Saints’ receivers from reaching the end zone and also held them to under 200 yards.