The New Orleans Saints took on the Atlanta Falcons in the last week of the season. Though the game itself wasn’t much of a fights, with the Saints taking a 48-17 victory, there was a lot to talk about afterwards.
But who were the standouts? Who made a difference on Sunday afternoon — for good or bad? Who stood out for positive and negative reasons? Let’s break down this week’s Studs and Duds:
STUD | Derek Carr
Whether or not the Saints make the playoffs, Carr was able to end the regular season on a high note. With all signs pointing to another season of the Carr and Dennis Allen regime in New Orleans, a big day today would be important to try and win over some fans.
Carr went 22-for-28 with 264 yards and four touchdowns on the day. His downfield passing was on point and he showed some aggression on the field. It was the type of performance that fans had been waiting all season for.
He connected with all three receivers that most fans would figure to be the key parts of the room next season: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry.
DUD | The Carolina Panthers
Though it was a fun game to watch in terms of the Saints offense and defense (in the second half) put on a show, but it was bittersweet as the Carolina Panthers put together another terrible showing in Week 18 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured the division.
They had two touchdowns taken off the board in what would turn out to be a 9-0 loss, only adding insult to injury.
STUD | Kendre Miller
With Alvin Kamara out and Kendre Miller finally healthy again, hopes were high that the rookie would finally have a big breakout game. Miller did just that with a strong day of running which included his first career touchdown.
He finished the day with a career-high 73 yards on just 13 carries and that score. He added six yards on a catch as well.
Miller will have some confidence heading into next season as he looks to be the team’s secondary back for now.
DUD | Dennis Allen
It takes a lot to make a multi-score win over the Atlanta Falcons at home into the fan base being mad at the Saints head coach, but Dennis Allen pulled off the near impossible.
Instead of going with the team and the decision to score that last touchdown for Jamaal Williams, Allen was quick to apologize to the Falcons and throw his players under the bus. If it wasn’t clear before that the Saints have some serious locker room issues before that need to be addressed as soon as possible, it certainly is now.
STUD | Saints receiving room
The young core of the receiving room all came through in the last game of the season. Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry each had three catches and at least one touchdown. Perry, the rookie out of Wake Forest, had two scores in the game.
With Michael Thomas’ future unclear, the Saints still have at least three receivers that are going to be key figures next season as the team will try to run it back yet again with this roster configuration. It will allow them to spend the bigger resources elsewhere on the roster that is a bigger need than receiver.
