I probably speak for much of Who Dat Nation when I admit that I was nervous about what the Saints would look like coming into their “home” matchup vs Green Bay on Sunday in Jacksonville. A new starting quarterback, a receiving corps of UDFAs, a defense that has lost a lot on the interior line, facing the reigning league MVP, and the aftermath of Hurricane Ida combined set the stage for the Saints to come out flat, sloppy, or dysfunctional, and we would have understood.

One team did come out looking flat, sloppy, and dysfunctional; it wasn’t our beloved Saints. I was shocked watching the 38-3 beatdown the Saints gave to the Packers. This performance was better than anything I dared let myself hope for. I was terrified of how Jameis Winston would be in the starting role, and I’m still sad Drew Brees is no longer under center.

The Saints came out with a purpose and intensity that was beyond what I anticipated. I knew they would come out ready to play, but to perform at this level in Week 1 may have been Sean Payton’s most impressive coaching performance to date. The running game was effective, Jameis Winston played superbly well, the offensive line barely missed a beat when Cezar Ruiz slid over for an injured Erik McCoy, and the defense played with a tenacity and swagger that I can only hope they maintain throughout the rest of the season. Juwan Johnson may be the most sought-after player on fantasy football waiver wire this week. This performance speaks to the culture of the team built by Gayle Benson, Mickey Loomis, and Sean Payton.

My favorite play that Jameis Winston made wasn’t his 55 yard missile to Deonte Harris to put the Saints up by 35, but it was an apparent throw-away play late in the first quarter, near the Green Bay 35 yard line. Winston had all day to throw, was looking for a deep pass, and chose to throw the ball out of bounds. Tampa Bay Jameis Winton would have likely forced a throw to a covered receiver. New Orleans Jameis Winston seemed to be channeling Drew Brees, not unlike a young Luke Skywalker hearing the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi at the end of Star Wars: A New Hope. It showed a maturity, a confidence in his decision making, and a poise that we’ve gotten from Brees over his tenure in New Orleans.

The exciting thing is that this team is on the verge of getting much better. They have ridiculously talented players coming back to the team in the early to middle part of the season. Bradley Roby, an above average cover cornerback was just acquired from the Texans and was unable to play; all pro receiver Michael Thomas will come back after the Saints’ week six bye; David Onyemata will come back with a vengeance following his 6 game suspension. Third round pick Paulson Adebo held his own in his debut, and looked comfortable doing so. Our first two picks of the 2021 draft (defensive end Payton Turner and linebacker Pete Werner) didn’t even dress this week.

This team has the potential to be at the top of the NFC if this past week’s performance was any indication of what’s to come. The schedule lines up favorably for us over the next several weeks (at Carolina in Week 2, at New England in Week 3, and hopefully home in the Superdome in Week 4 against the New York Giants). None of these next three opponents have the quality of Green Bay, nor the pedigree of quarterback that the Packers have. This does not mean the Saints will go undefeated or continue to put up 38-3 type performances, but it does mean that the Saints have an incredibly real chance to open up this season 4-0 or 3-1.

I just want to say thank you to the Saints for illustrating to the world the bond the team and the New Orleans region share. It was the best possible way to start the season; it mirrored the resiliency of the community the Saints represent.

As we journey into the Saints without Drew Brees, I’m more hopeful than I was all offseason. I’m excited for the ride. To quote my good friend Kevin “I’m ready to be hurt by this team again.”

Bring it, 2021.

WHO DAT?!??!

Week 1: Saints vs. Green Bay