Needless to say, expectations weren't high for the New Orleans Saints offense going into 2024. Even with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak roaming the sidelines, fans couldn't erase memories of an offensive unit that was anemic for much of 2023. Then came Sunday's season-opener against NFC South rival Carolina, in which the Saints scored 47 points, gained 379 yards of offense and looked competent for four entire quarters.
One of the biggest struggles for the Saints in 2023 was a lack of opening-drive scores. The result of the first series of 2024? A beautiful touchdown throw from quarterback Derek Carr to receiver Rashid Shaheed. THE NEED FOR SHAHEED! FOX pic.
twitter.com/n2sQeJgaa1 An 11-play, 79-yard scoring drive put the Saints up 17-0 at the end of the first quarter, and a touchdown pass from Carr to Juwan Johnson stretched New Orleans' lead to 30-0 in the waning moments of the first half. Foster Moreau mossing folks FOX pic.
twitter.com/wRc2ZVtnBv 30-0 Saints FOX pic.twitter.
com/5dS4RMQgxh Rushing touchdowns from Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams would help close the scoring on a 47-10 beatdown of the Panthers that put the Saints' newfound offensive firepower on full display. Handshakes for errrrrrybody @A_kamara6 | FOX pic.twitter.
com/qD6oltrqr9 IT'S A TD FOR THE 1ST SWAGG KAZEKAGE @jswaggdaddy | FOX pic.twitter.com/h5lMy64fsz One game against a Panthers team that will likely finish in the basement doesn't guarantee a deep run for the Saints in 2024, but it answered p.