Saints Use Stifling Defense in 13-10 Win Over the Seahawks

Demario Davis was a monster tonight!!!

Coming off their bye week, the New Orleans Saints (3-2) were embarking on a long, 12-game stretch that started in Seattle against the Russell Wilson-less Seahawks (2-4). With the Saints looking to start their second half of the season on the good foot, the Seahawks were looking to avoid a two-game losing streak and keep pace with the streaking Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.

Below is a summary of the game by half.

FIRST HALF

The Saints started the game in a fully lethargic mode, going three-and-out on offense, then allowing an 84-yard catch-and-run to wide receiver DK Metcalf, giving the Seahawks a quick 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

The Saints’ defense would eventually settle down, forcing the Seahawks to punt on their next two consecutive possessions, while New Orleans’ offense would finally show some life and methodically march into Seahawks’ territory in the second quarter, in a drive that took over nine minutes, and resulted sadly in only a field goal, a 21-yarder by rookie Brian Johnson, who was kicking his first-ever NFL field goal.

Trailing 7-3, the Saints’ defense would continue to respond, forcing yet another punt. With just over two minutes left in the half, Jameis Winston would pick apart Seattle’s zone defense and take just about 1:46 to find Alvin Kamara for a 13-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead for New Orleans going into halftime.

SECOND HALF

Getting the ball to start the second half, New Orleans would promptly go three-and-out, while on the other side of the ball, the Saints’ defense would continue accumulating personal fouls, real and imagined. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore in particular, would get penalized several times for feuding with Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, with Lattimore seemingly losing his head at times.

Fortunately for New Orleans, the defense would overcome its own penalties in the third quarter, repeatedly giving the ball back to the offense. The offense would then commit the first big mistake of the game, a fumble by tight end Adam Trautman, who has been somewhat of a disappointment since being drafted by the Saints, mainly with drops. Seattle would take advantage of the turnover to add a field goal and tie the game at 10.

The Saints’ defense would continue playing with their hair on fire in the Seattle rain, harassing Smith and forcing Seattle into long field goal tries. The game would remain tied at 10 deeper into the fourth quarter, when the Saints would eventually mount a drive into the Seahawks’ red zone and kick a field goal to take a 13-10 lead with 1:56 left in the game.

The defense would seal the deal with Demario Davis getting the Saints’ last sack of the game and also a pass breakup to stop the Seahawks on 4th-and-28.

New Orleans improves to 4-2, while Seattle falls to 2-5 on the season.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Here is a live quarter-by-quarter description of how the game unfolded:

FIRST HALF

First Quarter

Saints win the toss and defer to the second half. Seahawks open with three runs and come up just short of a first down and punt.

Saints take over at their 25-yard line. Saints gain one first down but eventually stall and punt.

Gillikin pins the the Seahawks at their 16-yard line. On the second play of the Seahawks’ drive, DK Metcalf catches a short pass and runs into the end zone for an 84-yard touchdown after a missed tackle by Marcus Williams.

NO: 0 – SEA: 7

Saints take over at their 25-yard line and gain a first down on a screen play to Adam Trautman. Winston finds Juwan Johnson for a first down at midfield. Saints get to 4th-and-3 on Seattle’s 43-yard line and decide to punt, pinning the Seahawks at their one-yard line.

An unnecessary penalty on Marshon Lattimore bails the Seahawks out of the shadow of their end zone. Seahawks face a 3rd-and-14 at their 26-yard line and eventually are forced to punt.

Saints take over at their 20-yard line. Jameis is sacked on third down and New Orleans has to punt for the third time of the game.

Seahawks take over at their 40-yard line and Geno Smith uses his legs to gain a first down into Saints territory as the first quarter ends.

Second Quarter

Seahawks quickly face a third-and-7 from the Saints’ 44-yard line, Saints pressure forces a throw-away and a punt.

Saints start at their 12-yard line. on a beautiful screen play, Alvin Kamara runs for 23 yards to the Saints’ 40-yard line. Saints face a third-and-7 and a pass interference on the Seahawks keeps the drive alive. Saints face a fourth-and-1 at the Seahawks’ 44-yard line and convert. Saints continue their drive and face another 4th-and-inches and convert once again with Winston sneaking for the first down. Jameis runs for 18 yards and a first down inside the Seahawks’ red zone. Saints face a third-and-goal at the Hawks’ 3-yard line and Winston fails to complete a pass. Brian Johnson makes a 21-yard field goal.

NO: 3 – SEA: 7

Seahawks take over at their 23-yard line after a punt return. A personal foul on CJ Gardner-Johnson gifts another free 15 yards to the Seahawks. Saints eventually force the Seahawks to punt, Marquez Callaway fair-catches at the 15-yard line.

Saints drive 85-yard in a minute and 46 seconds and Jameis Winston finds Alvin Kamara for his seventh and eighth catch of the half for a touchdown. The seventh catch to set up the Saints into Seahawks’ territory, the eighth to take the lead.

And the touchdown!

NO: 10 – SEA: 7

The Saints’ defense then stops the Seahawks with 40 seconds left and go into halftime with a 3 points lead and the ball after the half.

SECOND HALF

Third Quarter

Ty Montgomery returns the kickoff to the Saints’ 33-yard line, where the Saints take over. On 3rd-and-2, Winston’s pass to Marquez Callaway is incomplete and Saints go three-and-out.

Seahawks start at their 12-yard line, but another personal foul penalty, a phantom one this time on Marcus Davenport gets the Seahawks down the field, Lattimore once again gets penalized for another personal foul on DK Metcalf. Saints then sack Geno Smith twice to push the Seahawks into a 3rd-and-19. Seahawks settle for a 44-yard field goal attempt that Jason Myers misses wide right.

Saints take over at their 34-yard line and gain a first down. Winston then makes two great throws to Kevin White (drop) and Kenny Stills (pass breakup) that fall incomplete, as the Saints have to punt again.

Seahawks start at their 17-yard line and focus on the run game. Seahawks eventually stall and punt to the Saints’ 15-yard line.

New Orleans starts their drive with a catch-and-run by Alvin Kamara. On the next play, Adam Trautman fumbles the ball at the Saints’ 30-yard line which the Seahawks recover. Trautman not only drops passes, he also fumbles them.

Saints force the Seahawks into a 50-yard field goal attempt that Jason Myers converts.

NO: 10 – SEA: 10

Saints run one play, a run with Kamara as the quarter ends.

Fourth Quarter

The quarter starts with Jameis running for 9 yards and a first down. A holding penalty on center Erik McCoy sets New Orleans back. Saints eventually stall and are forced to punt for the sixth time

Seahawks quickly face a 3rd-and-5 and convert to DK Metcalf. Seattle finds some success and gets to midfield. Geno Smith finds a target to the Saints’ 23-yard line. Tanoh Kpassagnon sacks Geno Smith and Jason Myers misses a 53-yard field goal.

Saints take over at their 43-yard line and on third down Winston is sacked but is roughed on a hit to the head, which keeps the Saints’ drive alive and puts New Orleans into Seahawks’ territory. On 3rd-and-10, Saints run Kamara in the middle for 12 yards and a first down to the Seahawks 30-yard line. After a penalty on Tre’Quan Smith, Winston finds him for a catch to force a 3rd-and-5. Saints fall on 3rd down, but Al Woods jumps offside and gives the Saints a first down to keep the drive alive. Winston finds Marquez Callaway to the Seahawks’ 6-yard line on a clutch catch. On 3rd-and-goal, Winston is sacked at the 15-yard line as the clock hits the two-minute warning. Brian Johnson makes a 33-yard field goal.

NO: 13 – SEA: 10

Seahawks take over at their 25-yard line after a touchback with 1:56 left in the game. On second down, Malcolm Jenkins sacks Geno Smith to force a 3rd-and-18. Demario Davis sacks Smith on 3rd down and forces a 4th down and 28 play. That was the Saints’ fifth sack of the game. On 4th-and-28, Demario Davis caps a monster game with a pass breakup that was a near interception.

SAINTS WIN THE GAME!!!

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