NFL Week 7 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 13, Seattle Seahawks 10

Running back Alvin Kamara led the New Orleans Saints to a narrow 13-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks to conclude Week 7, as he was responsible for almost 60% of New Orleans' total yards.

The Seahawks squandered a number of potential scoring opportunities, missing two second-half field goals, which is a big reason why they fell to 2-5 and last place in the NFC West.

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New Orleans Saints

Quarterback

Jameis Winston did just enough to lead New Orleans to victory, completing 19-of-35 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. Winston continuously tried to find the big play, finishing with a 10.2-yard average depth of target (aDOT), but he found the majority of his success on check-downs, as he averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt. Fifteen of Winston’s 19 completions were on targets inside nine yards, including his lone touchdown toss to Alvin Kamara late in the first half. 

Running Backs

Kamara was responsible for an astounding 179 of New Orleans’ 300 total yards Monday, as the former All-Pro running back compiled 128 receiving yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions to go along with his 51 yards on the ground. Kamara’s excellence as a receiver can not be understated, as the former third-round pick accrued 119 of his 128 yards after the catch while racking up a game-best five total missed tackles. 

Receivers/Tight Ends

Marquez Callaway drew a unit-high seven targets but was only able to haul in three for 32 yards and a first down. He and Tre’Quan Smith, who registered just one catch for 11 yards, were the only two wide receivers to record a reception. 

Adam Trautman was second on the team with 36 receiving yards, as he caught all three of his targets. Fellow tight end Juwan Johnson registered a single catch for eight yards.

Offensive Line

The Saints' offensive line held up well in pass protection, conceding just 12 pressures, but it submitted a subpar performance in the run game. New Orleans' ball carriers averaged just 0.8 yards before contact, as the team finished with more tackles for loss allowed (3) than 10-plus-yard rushes (2). The group was much more impressive in pass protection, as Seattle registered just two sacks. 

Defensive Line

Edge rusher Marcus Davenport returned from injured reserve with a vengeance, leading all Saints pass rushers with four total pressures in the victory. Edge rusher Cameron Jordan collected one of the group’s two sacks and contributed three of the unit’s 11 combined pressures. New Orleans' defensive line performed competently against the run, as Seattle ball carriers averaged 3.2 yards per rush.

Linebackers

Demario Davis may have been Monday’s most dominant performer, as he led New Orleans in both total tackles (10) and tackles for loss (four) while registering one of the team’s four sacks. He and rookie Pete Werner led the unit, as they impeded the majority of Seattle’s rushing attempts while holding up competently in pass coverage. They saw five targets as a unit and conceded only four receptions for 48 yards.

Secondary

The Saints' secondary suffocated an overall anemic Seattle passing attack, surrendering just eight receptions for 119 yards – 84 of which came on Metcalf’s touchdown scamper. Metcalf’s touchdown was one of cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s team-leading three receptions allowed, as the former Pro Bowler conceded 103 yards on five total targets. He was the lone underwhelming performer though, as each of the Saints' other targeted defensive backs allowed passer ratings below 79.2 when targeted.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback

Geno Smith once again filled in admirably for injured starter Russell Wilson, throwing for 167 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-22 passing. After scoring with an 84-yard touchdown toss to D.K. Metcalf in the first quarter, Smith was content to play conservatively and live near the line of scrimmage, as he finished with 7.6 yards per attempt. Smith was under duress for most of the contest, succumbing to five sacks while registering a season-high three turnover-worthy plays.

Running Backs

Alex Collins handled the majority of the lead-back responsibilities, collecting 17 touches for 44 total yards in the loss. Collins was incredibly shifty, forcing a team-high three missed tackles, but he was unable to overcome Seattle’s offensive line struggles, as he averaged -0.3 yards before contact.

Receivers/Tight Ends

Metcalf starred in the Seahawks' low-wattage passing attack, recording an 84-yard catch and run score midway through the first quarter. That was the highlight of the night for the third-year veteran, as he finished with a team-high 104 yards receiving on two receptions.

Freddie Swain led Seattle pass-catchers with four receptions for 39 yards in the defeat while Gerald Everett paced all Seattle tight ends with three receptions for 11 yards in the defeat.

Offensive Line

The Seahawks offensive line appeared overwhelmed for much of Monday’s contest, struggling to maintain open running lanes while allowing consistent pressure in pass protection. Each of Seattle’s starting offensive linemen conceded at least one pressure. Left tackle Duane Brown particularly struggled, allowing four pressures and a sack.

Defensive Line

Seattle’s defensive line failed to make a significant impact in Monday’s loss, collecting only nine pressures as a unit while failing to contain New Orleans' dynamic rushing attack. The unit was able to convert their limited pressures into sacks, as edge rusher Rasheem Green finished with two sacks while interior defender Kerry Hyder added another.

Linebackers

Bobby Wagner was the lone bright spot on an ineffective Seahawks linebacker corps, as he led all Seattle defenders with seven tackles Monday night. Jordyn Brooks was struggled in coverage, as he allowed receptions on all five of his targets for 69 yards and four first downs.

Secondary

Seattle’s secondary was probably the team's strongest performing unit Monday, conceding just 11 receptions for 124 yards on 22 targets as a unit.

Safety Ryan Neal was the group's most targeted member, allowing three receptions for 50 yards on four targets, including New Orleans' lone touchdown. Cornerback Sidney Jones registered one of the unit’s two forced incompletions, as he allowed a 39.6 passer rating when targeted — the lowest of any targeted cornerback.