In their first game in over seven months, the New Orleans Saints lost their preseason opener to the Houston Texans on Saturday night, 17-13. The final score didn’t matter at all. A coach will use his preseason games as part of the evaluation process.
Defensively, the Saints looked sharp and ready for the regular-season opener on September 11 in Atlanta. With several New Orleans on either side of the ball his starters were out of shape and most others finished the night after series one, two.
The Saints’ starting offense was impressive on their first and only drive, stealing the ball for 67 yards in 10 plays and ending with a touchdown pass from QB Andy Dalton to RB Dwayne Washington. After that, the second and third were evenly matched.
Here are my pros and cons from the Saints’ performance against the Texans.
Thumbs Up – Andy Dalton
New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton, 14, is looking for an open receiver against the Houston Texans. Required Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dalton started at quarterback as Jameis Winston was out last week with a sprained foot in practice. Dalton, 34, was sharp on his only drive, completing all five of his pass attempts for 51 yards and scoring on his only drive.
Dalton, a 12-year veteran, looks to have made a huge upgrade over last year’s backup Trevor Siemian. Remember, the Saints went 4-0 last season with Simian starting. Due to Winston’s season-ending knee injury, he eventually started four different quarterbacks.
Dalton showed poise and precision out of his pocket and was decisive in his reading. There are no quarterback controversies in New Orleans. Winston is (and should be) an unquestionable starter. But Dalton has shown he has the ability to move the offense if teams need to rely on him during the year.
Thumbs Down – Ian Book
New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book, 16, attempts a pass, and Houston Texans defensive lineman Damon Harris, 94, puts the pressure on. Mandatory credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY
Despite some impressive results in the first two weeks of training camp, Book once again struggled in game conditions. He threw for only 121 yards in his last three and a half quarters, though he had 15 of 22 passes. Book also threw an interception, fumbled twice, and was sacked five times.
The book interception came on a tip pass that could have been caught, but the throw was off target. Some of his passes in the evening were off target. He was indecisive about football and seemed to have difficulty reading the defense.
A fourth-round pick from Notre Dame in 2021, Book had little preseason action as a rookie. His immaturity still shows. He has an opportunity to improve, but must grow quickly to justify the Saints keeping three quarterbacks on their active roster heading into the regular season.
Like – Daigene Dixon
Dixon led all New Orleans receivers by pulling in three of four targets for 33 yards. He set the route with physical precision and showed concentration in the traffic. That continued Dixon’s strong start to training camp, an undrafted rookie in a crowded position.
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Dixon has had some impressive practice so far and runs routes like a veteran. He has demonstrated an ability to stay out of the press, something that the brief New Orleans receiving force struggled with last season.
The Saints look to be under load at wide receivers this season. Perennial Pro Bowlers Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and first-round pick Chris Olave will be the top three receivers, with dynamic Deonte Harty likely in fourth.
Dixon has some work to do to overtake veterans Marquez Calloway and Trequan Smith, as well as keep off Aesop Winston, Kirk Merritt and Kawaan Baker. A solid preseason debut can only help him in that task.
Thumbs Down – Backup Offensive Line
Houston Texans defensive end Michael Dumfor (98) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Devine Ogibo (28). Required Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
After a dominant performance by starting an attacking front on the opening drive, the unit struggled with consistency for the remainder of the night. New Orleans managed 203 total yards and two field goals on their final 11 drives of the game.
The line put in a solid performance in the running game, allowing the team to pick up 130 yards on the ground.
Rookie first-round pick Trevor Penning was a rushing attack hitter, but needs to improve his consistency in pass protection to pass James Hurst for the starting job at left tackle.
Sophomore OT Landon Young also struggled at times after a strong start in training camp. Their backups in the inside spot also didn’t distinguish well, allowing some inside pressure and failing to open up the cutback lane for the backs at crucial moments.
Thumbs Up – Defense
New Orleans Saints linebacker Chase Hansen (40) and defensive end Malcolm Roach (97) tackle Houston Texans running back Royce Freeman (26). Mandatory credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY
The Saints defense played outstanding football until the Texans won a 90-yard game in the final minute against the fourth-string New Orleans defense. They allowed just 185 yards on their first 12 Houston drives, intercepted three passes, and didn’t allow a third down conversion until almost five minutes before the third quarter.
Linebackers Chase Hansen and Eric Wilson were the stars of the unit, who started the game primarily on second stringers. While aiming to return from injury, he showed outstanding flight distance.
The Saints struggled to contain Texans rookie RB Dameon Pierce, who had 49 yards on just five carries. But remember that most of the original front 7 didn’t enter the contest. That, and aside from some coverage breakdown from his back on the third and fourth strings, the Saints’ defense looks regular his season.
Overall, I rate New Orleans defense a B and offense a C-. There is some room for improvement, especially on offense, but with the likes of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara back in the lineup, we expect them to be sharper.
The Saints will have a joint scrimmage practice this week with the Green Bay Packers before playing Game 2 of the preseason in Green Bay next Saturday. New Orleans needs to release at least five players to meet the NFL’s mandated 85-player deadline by Tuesday afternoon.
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