A group that lost 10 of its first 12 games – including three of the first four starts by rookie quarterback Tyler Shough – found its footing and collected three wins over NFC South Division foes Carolina and Tampa Bay, the top two teams in the division, in a five-game stretch.
Sunday’s pummeling of the Jets (3-12) was New Orleans’ most lopsided decision this season.
It was spurred by five Charlie Smyth field goals; career days from Shough (32 of 49 for 308 yards and a touchdown) and receiver Chris Olave (10 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns); more history from Taysom Hill, who ran for 42 yards on 12 carries, caught four passes for 36 yards, threw a 38-yard touchdown pass and became the only player in the Super Bowl era to top 1,000 yards passing (2,388), 1,000 yards rushing (2,545) and 1,000 yards receiving (1,002); and the best defensive effort of the season from a unit that has allowed 16 points per game in the last six.
“There was a bunch of guys making plays today,” Moore said. “I thought it was a credit to our guys, just the relentless effort, the finish, the way they’re playing together. The sacks – there’s coverage associated with that, the way our guys are covering on the back end. And guys just took advantage of opportunities. That was really cool to see.”
New Orleans overcame a sluggish open. Hill fumbled on the second play from scrimmage after the opening kickoff, and the Jets recovered at the Saints 37-yard line. The defense stiffened after allowing 27 yards on seven plays and forced New York to settle for Nick Folk’s 29-yard field goal, the Jets’ only lead.