Silver and Black Report

New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Saints added to their lead with a Taylor Mehlhaff 33 yard field goal at the onset of the final quarter. The 27-3 lead at that point was insurmountable; especially considering the inability of the Raiders offense to sustain any drives and the struggles JaMarcus Russell had all afternoon with his accuracy – the polar opposite of Drew Brees’ performance this afternoon.

It got worst for Russell when he fumbled on 3^rd and 8 in Oakland’s first drive of the fourth quarter as he attempted to make a move out of the pocket. The Saints took over at the Raiders 32-yard line when Kendrick Clancy recovered the loose ball, and two plays later, Brees hit Lance Moore for 27 yards to set their next score.

Brees got his third touchdown of the game when he lobbed a ball to tight end Mark Campbell 2 yards into the back of the end zone. The Saints had a 34-3 lead and Brees would end the game with a mesmerizing 26-of-30 for 320 yards.

In his worst game since entering the NFL, Russell was wild and unable to find his accuracy throughout the contest. If not for the Saints dropping certain interceptions, Russell’s final stats would have been far worse than the already poor box score showing.

The former LSU star, who was making his first appearance in the Superdome since his days as a collegiate, even overthrew a wide open Chaz Schilens on a 4^th and 6 late in the game that would’ve lead to a Oakland touchdown. 

New Orleans was in full control of this game and Brees’ ability to find open targets all over the field spoiled Tom Cable’s debut as head coach.