Game balls from the Saints out-Seahawking of Seattle

The New Orleans Saints won a game without Drew Brees at quarterback for the first time since a November 27, 2005 victory over the New York Jets. The Saints went into Seattle without their injured quarterback on Sunday afternoon, one of the league's toughest venues to play, and won 33-27 in a game that wasn't as close as the final score. New Orleans won the game in a way that the Seahawks usually do, by playing hard-nosed on both sides of the ball and by making big plays defensively and on special teams. The Saints defense got the game off to a good start for the visitors by forcing a Seahawks punt after a 3-and-out on the opening drive. The Saints Deonte Harris then returned the punt 53 yards for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead. A few offensive penalties, which continue to be a problem, short circuited a couple drives, but the defense came up with a big play to keep momentum. Eli Apple stripped Seattle's Chris Carson of the football, which safety Vonn Bell returned for a 33-yd. score and a 13-7 lead after a Seattle score. Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was smart, if not spectacular, with the football in throwing 2 touchdowns. Bridgewater led two key touchdown drives at the end of the first half and to start the second to extend the New Orleans lead to 27-7, and the defense held on through the fourth to preserve the big win. Here are some of the top performers from a Saints victory that some found surprising.

Alvin Kamara

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Kamara was expected to be an even bigger part of the game plan with Brees out, and the third year back delivered in All-Pro fashion. Kamara totaled 161 offensive yards and scored twice, including 9 receptions for 92 yards . He accounted for 61% of the Saints offensive production, frustrating the Seattle defense on seemingly every play by fighting through tackles for key extra yardage and showcasing his exceptional balance and vision.

Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead

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The Saints offensive line rebounded from a poor performance last week against the Rams by returning to form against a formidable Seahawks front. Bridgewater was not sacked and rarely hit, while the line paved the way for key pickups on the ground in short yardage situations. Tackles Armstead and Ramczyk were particularly impressive, setting the edge for Kamara and opening up lanes on a number of screen and swing passes.

Thomas Morstead

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The veteran punter consistently put the Seahawks in a hole with his booming kicks and accurate placement, allowing the Saints to have a significant advantage in field position throughout the game. Morstead averaged 54 yards on his six punts, which included a 64-yd. bomb, and pinned Seattle inside their own 10-yd. line multiple times. He was a vital weapon in the field position battle, allowing the Saints to stay within their offensive game plan.

Demario Davis

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Davis took over the pregame speech from Brees to start the game, then proceeded to show why he is a key emotional leader for his squad. He finished with 9 tackles and a quarterback hit. Davis flushed Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson out of the pocket on a few occasions, something that the Saints defense did several times in the game. More importantly, Davis was responsible for a handful of key stops in short yardage opportunities, helping his defense hold the Seahawks to just 6-18 in 3rd or 4th down situations.

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Coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen each had outstanding game plans, and the team's stars made big plays when most needed. Next up for the now 2-1 Saints is a home battle against the Dallas Cowboys. New Orleans will of course still be without the injured Brees, but this strong team effort should dispel many of the naysayers who were quick to discount the championship chances of this still talented roster.