A week after the performance at St. Louis, the Saints have come out trying to prove they are still an elite team. The Saints have run the ball very well and Brees has been accurate, as usual.
The defense has been doing good in terms of points, but are giving up yards. They need to tighten up a little bit or else the yards could turn into points if they aren't careful. The defense has been focused on the run and even stopped a critical 4th down play by the Bucs.
The offense has to be the story though. A week after a near refusal to run the ball, the Saints have been focused on the run with great results. Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, and of course Darren Sproles have all gotten touches in this game and have all wanted more. The only worry is that Pierre hobbled off the field after running the ball towards the end of the 2nd quarter.
Let's hope the Saints continue their performance for a much needed division win and the lead in the NFC South. Make the jump to see some stats from the first half, and for you second half open thread.
| TB | NO | ||
| First Downs | 5 | 15 | |
| Total Yards | 174 | 288 | |
| Passing Yards | 133 | 185 | |
| Rushing Yards | 41 | 103 | |
| Penalties (Yds) | 4(30) | 3(15) | |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 | |
| Punts (AVG) | 3(28) | 1(42) | |
| Time of Pos. | 14:29 | 15:31 |
| TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| J. Freeman | 10/14 | 133 | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| L. Blount | 8 | 35 | 0 | 15 |
| K. Lumpkin | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| P. Parker | 2 | 41 | 0 | 36 |
| A. Benn | 2 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| M. Williams | 2 | 12 | 0 | 6 |
| NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| D. Brees | 17/23 | 185 | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| P. Thomas | 3 | 41 | 0 | 33 |
| C. Ivory | 6 | 32 | 0 | 12 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| J. Graham | 5 | 63 | 0 | 23 |
| D. Sproles | 3 | 47 | 1 | 21T |
| M. Colston | 4 | 43 | 0 | 20 |