East Rutherford, N.J. – The quality piece of work that was the New Orleans Saints' 28-13 victory over the New York Jets in their preseason game Saturday night was the Saints' best all-around play of their three preseason games.
That shouldn't be a surprise, because that's the way it's supposed to be. The team hopes to improve each week and the starters were scheduled to play their longest stretch of any preseason game. And that's the way it was for the Saints, who left MetLife Stadium feeling good about their efforts. Here are a few of the standouts:
OFFENSE: The easy choice here would be quarterback Drew Brees, who made his first (and likely last) appearance of the preseason on the Saints' opening drive, and was so efficient that that's all the snaps he received. On the eight-play drive, Brees completed four of six passes for 68 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown to Michael Thomas. Or, perhaps, Thomas, who made two acrobatic catches (the 20-yarder between a couple of defenders may have been more impressive than the touchdown catch). But since those two likely will find their names here a few times during the regular season, and if you went to the microwave you might have missed their time on the field, we'll go with tight end Dan Arnold, who had game highs in catches (five) and receiving yards (83). Arnold took some big hits along the way, but showed the ability to get open and to make tough catches, too. Most importantly, he held on to the ball after the catch, and that'll leave a good taste in the coaches' mouths.
DEFENSE: Truth is, the first-team defense was outstanding. It pitched a shutout, forced a turnover and a couple of punts and shackled the Jets. But the turnover – cornerback Marshon Lattimore's strip and recovery – was pretty spectacular. Lattimore tracked running back Ty Montgomery on New York's first offensive play, caught him from the left side and wrestled the ball away while Montgomery was falling. It couldn't have been coached or executed any better than that, and it allowed the Saints to add a field goal to their opening-drive touchdown. Lattimore has a knack for finding the football, and it provided New Orleans' signature defensive play.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Deonte Harris. I really don't need to write anything else if you watched the game or the highlights, but here goes: After threatening to break a long return in the first two preseason games, he sprung loose and registered a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown (check out how he made the first guy whiff). It was the perfect way to atone for a fumble on a kickoff return (he recovered the fumble) and a good example of the explosiveness that he provides as a returner. Overall, he had four punt returns for 92 yards, and three kickoff returns for 61 yards. The undrafted rookie has been exactly what the Saints have been looking for in a returner the last couple of seasons.
Game action photos from the New Orleans Saints at New York Jets 2019 NFL Preseason Week 3 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball downfield during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) is defended by New York Jets' Tevaughn Campbell (35) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New York Jets' Tevaughn Campbell (35) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New York Jets' Tevaughn Campbell (35) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) runs past New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (92) tackles New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara (41) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Brian Poole (34) forces New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) out of bounds during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) runs past New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Jacquizz Rodgers (32) stiff-arms New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Jacquizz Rodgers (32) stiff-arms New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) is tackled by New York Jets' Neville Hewitt, right, and C.J. Mosley, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) is tackled by New York Jets' Neville Hewitt, right, and C.J. Mosley, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws a pass during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Marshon Lattimore (23) runs back a fumble recovery during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
The New Orleans Saints play the New York Jets during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Brian Poole tackles New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) stiff-arms New York Jets' Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' A.J. Klein (53) dives for New York Jets' Ty Montgomery (88) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets' Blake Cashman (53) chases New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Robby Anderson (11) tries to avoid New Orleans Saints' Marcus Williams (43) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Marcus Davenport (92) rushes Jets quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' A.J. Derby (81) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Brandon Bryant (38) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) tackles New Orleans Saints' Emmanuel Butler (17) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) points to the defense during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) tackles New Orleans Saints' Emmanuel Butler (17) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Butler (17) checks his alignment during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Ziggy Hood celebrates after the Saints defense forces a safety during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Dwayne Washington (27) is tackled by New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' Matt Darr (3) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Harris scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' Matt Darr (3) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Harris scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' Matt Darr (3) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Harris scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' Matt Darr (3) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Harris scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Deonte Harris (11) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' A.J. Derby (81) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Brandon Bryant (38) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Josh Martin (54) tackles New York Jets' Deonte Thompson (10) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets' Godwin Igwebuike (23) tackles New Orleans Saints' Dan Arnold (85) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Ken Crawley (20) breaks up a pass to New York Jets' Deonte Thompson (10) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Cyril Grayson (83) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Godwin Igwebuike (23) and another defender during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets' Trenton Cannon (40) evades New Orleans Saints' Kaden Elliss (55) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Vince Biegel (59) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets' Josh Bellamy (15) is defended by New Orleans Saints' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Marshon Lattimore (23) runs back a fumble recovery during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill (7) rushes during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New York Jets' Arthur Maulet (37) defends New Orleans Saints' Lil'Jordan Humphrey (84) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Saints won 28-13. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
New Orleans Saints' Cyril Grayson (83) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Saints won 28-13. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill (7) runs past New York Jets' Alex Brown (25) and Anthony Wint (52) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints Wil Lutz (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
