Washington Falls to New Orleans 33-22

October 10, 2021

By Noonefromtampa

First Quarter

Washington won the toss and deferred until the second half. Washington’s defense got pressure on Jameis Winston to start the game but still allowed an 11 yard completion to Kenny Stills on third down. However, two plays later pressure from the defense line caused Winston to underthrow Taysom Hill which Cole Holcomb intercepted and returned 23 yards.

After a short run by Antonio Gibson on second down, Taylor Heinicke was unable to hit a wide-open DeAndre Cater on third down. Dustin Hopkins hit a 45 yard field goal to put Washington up 3 – 0. On the next series, the Washington’s defense blew the coverage in the secondary and allowed a 72 yard touchdown pass to Deonte Harris after stuffing Alvin Kamara on the first two downs. Cody Parkey converted the extra point.

Washington’s next offensive series featured a mixture of runs and passes that kept the Saints defense off balance. Unfortunately, the 12 play, 72 yard drive stalled out in the red zone at the Saints 5 yard line and Hopkins converted the 23 yard field goal. Key plays on the drive included a 20 yard completion to Adam Humphries and an 18 yard completion to Terry McLaurin.

On the next drive, Winston threw a swing pass to Kamara for 20 yards. After a 5 yard run by Alvin Kamara, Chase Young got a strip sack of Winston which was recovered by Daron Payne and returned to the Saints 44 yard line.  The Washington offense then went into a disappointing series, getting a holding penalty on first down and a sack on the next play to be put in a second and 24 long distance situation.

After failing to convert, the Saints committed a roughing the kicker penalty on Tress Way, giving Washington a first down. Bradley Roby committed defensive pass interference against Dax Milne, who made a great move on the route, giving Washington another first down at the Saints 34. After losing seven yards on first down, Heinicke picked up 13 yards on a scramble.

New Orleans 7, Washington 6

Second Quarter

Heinicke then hit Ricky Seals-Jones for a first down catch of 7 yards. Gibson ran it in from the 5 yard line on the next play. Samuel Cosmi was injured on the touchdown run. Hopkins converted the extra point.

The Saints were able to move the ball, aided by personal foul penalty for “lowering the head to initiate contact”. Kamara picked up 12 yards on a screen pass and followed that up with a 23 yard sprint through the heart of the defense for a touchdown. Parkey missed the extra point.

On the next drive, Washington was able to drive 69 yards in 8 plays, featuring a  a 17 yard reception by Carter and a 13 yard reception by McLaurin.  Seals-Jones caught a 16 reception which was challenged but upheld even though it appeared that he did not get both feet down with control of the ball. Heinicke made a poor throw to Curtis Samuel at the goal line which was intercepted by Paulson Adebo at the two yard line. Cosmi attempted to return but was replaced by Cornelius Lucas.

Washington was able to call a timeout before the Saints appeared to gain significant yardage on first down. Washington was able to force three straight incompletions making the Saints punt. Despite good field position Washington was unable to move the ball and turned it over on downs when McLaurin’s catch was ruled out of bounds.  Payne was able to sack Winston on the next series and the defense forced several incompletions to make the Saints punt again. Blake Gillikin kicked a 60 yard punt in which the ball roll out of bounds at the Washington 1 yard line.

Washington rushed the ball three times to run down the clock trying to limit the time Saints would have when they got the ball back. After a Tress Way punt, the Saints got the ball at the Washington 49 yard line with 8 seconds left. Winston threw a “Hail Mary” into the end zone to Marquez Callaway for a touchdown after not a single Washington defensive back tried to knock down the ball.

New Orleans 20, Washington 13

Third Quarter

Washington opened the second half with a three and out with Way kicking a 51 yard punt that was returned by Alvin Kamara for 14 yards. The Saints responded with their own three and out with Gillikin punting it 57 yards down to the Washington three yard line. Neither offense did very much with the two teams trading punts on the next two series.

Washington then went on their first sustained drive of the second half later in the third quarter, going on a 14 play, 69 yard drive. The drive stalled out in the red zone but led to a 24 yard Hopkins field goal. The drive featured lots of run plays with Gibson, Carter and Patterson all rushing for first downs during the drive. Carter, McLaurin and Seals-Jones all had receptions too.  Curtis Samuel went out with an injury during this series and did not return.

New Orleans 20, Washington 16

Fourth Quarter

Winston tried to scramble for a first down on third and long after escaping from Montez Sweat but came up short. Gillikin punted the ball down to three yard line again. Heinicke did the unthinkable and threw an interception deep on his own side of the field. It then took the Saints 4 plays to turn the P.J. Williams pick into a 12 yard touchdown pass to Marquez Callaway.

Washington was able to move the ball down the field with big plays from Humphries and Carter who both had 26 yard receptions. Heinicke had a 16 yard run, and then Marshon Lattimore was flagged for a questionable pass interference call in the end zone against McLaurin. Gibson scored on the next play. The two point conversion failed.

The Saints decided to go for it on fourth and 1 at their own 34. After converting that and a 32 yard reception by Adam Trautman, Kamara had a 19 yard catch and run for the touchdown.

On their final drive of the game, Taylor Heinicke completed a 27 yard pass to Adam Humphries but failed to convert on downs after that.

The Saints were then able to run out the clock to seal the victory.

New Orleans 33, Washington 22

Heroes

Dustin Hopkins, who did not miss a kick today.

DeAndre Carter, who stepped up his game with some receivers injured.

Zeroes

The defensive secondary, who still cannot get their coverage communication issues fixed.

The defensive coaching staff, who seem loath to make a change.