outlaw4

On the record, I was on the fence with Darnold. Inexplicably, I saw enough Jets games in the past and noticed those flashes of potential. What scared me was that we had tried this QB reclamation route before with David Carr and it did not work at all. He took so much pummeling with the Texans that he literally crumbled onto the turf if a lineman looked at him the wrong way. The damage had been done and even now, that's my concern with Darnold. If not risk of regression, keeping him healthy.

Brady calling runs up the middle in short yardage when it clearly isn't working is becoming a meme now. Thankfully, someone finally told him what New England did all the time with Brady and just let Darnold get it instead. More Tremble plays are welcome. I'd have to look back but not sure if I want to keep trying WR screens.

Not going to crown him just yet. Still a long season and yes, those fumbles are a concern (same problem Delhomme had when he played). That said, what Darnold did in the second half is going to get him more respect, not just from the fans and media but more importantly, opposing defenses. Obviously, we shouldn't put everything on him but tonight, we all but had to and without CMC, he delivered.

Can I smash this victory pie against the refs and the injury bug?

Great recovery but man, we are going to pay a price for this win.

A 3rd quarter score? Is that allowed? ...but whether the defense can hold.

Given how our defense played the first two games, we can better afford to be cautious. It's a long(er) season, after all.

Sounds like something Ron would've done when he was at his worst.

The way I'm reading it, Gase gave Darnold no control on the playcalling at all. I could see that for a young rookie but for someone that played three years with an organization? Seriously? On a side note, I would like to know the plays Darnold did call an audible and how that play went.

Good to hear Darnold acknowledging the issues we still need to address because what has been our biggest issues as a franchise is being unable to sustain any level of success. We don't get attention because too often, we fall on our faces when we do have the spotlight. I could point out endless losses to division rivals and the Seahawks but the most grating is being utterly embarrassed by the Steelers every single time we've faced them in recent history. Thursday is our first big test not only because we are the only game that day but given the team we're facing and their circumstances, we are expected to win.

It's nice to see a team that actually goes for it rather than giving the ball back to someone like Mahomes, especially in a situation that favors them.

Wrong touchdown throw, Lamar.

Good luck trying to pry away the game ball from our defense.

Having the Saints kneel down at the end instead of trying to run another play is pure satisfaction...

I'm seeing this team like the Browns and the Bills. Sure, they look quite competitive today but it took them at least three years to finally see results. Moreso, I would argue that we're not even at year 2 just yet because COVID made everything much more difficult and different than any other year. Yes, we still have pieces missing (Uglies, QB if Darnold flames out) but the defense has tons of potential already and the best part is that's it's a lot of young talent. If nothing else, this is not 2010. There are things to look forward to.

That's a kick to the you know what. Or was it two?

History has shown we need a great Panthers team to beat the Saints and we don't have that right now. Offense continues to frustrate in the red zone and I expect being dinked and dunked to death to negate our rush, plus gratuitous holding that isn't called. Our own turnovers will negate theirs and they'll score on them as well I don't expect a victory this year but will be a litmus test in 2022 on whether we're going in the right direction. Saints 34 Panthers 20

First game at the new stadium with fans and they're already booing.

Ultimately depends on the type of game we get. If it's a traditional high scoring affair, offense has to play a lot better than they did today. I like our chances better in a defensive slog.

CMC has to do everyone's job on offense, apparently. Maybe try him to kick extra points...

No matter how you get the win, it's nice to get one to start a season, especially in front of the fans.

And that's the ball game. Game was over the moment Cowboys settled for the FG.

Recover that money by betting that Brady gets another game winning drive and we'll have to hear about it non-stop.

Odds of missing: 65%