CHARLOTTE - Playing in the first game of the post-Drew Brees era in a neutral stadium in Jacksonville with the team's top receiver sidelined, the New Orleans performed exactly as expected.
They beat the perennial NFC power Green Bay Packers 38-3.
Wait, what?
Yes, you read that right. The New Orleans Saints were one of the surprise teams of Week 1, and they come into Bank of America Stadium this weekend. So let's break it all down.
Jameis Winston Time
Winston was magical in his first start for the Saints after Drew Brees' 2021 retirement. The guy who led the league in touchdowns and interceptions in 2019, Winston was near flawless on Sunday, posting a passer rating of 130.8 as he tossed five touchdowns with no picks.
The Saints game plan worked to control the ball and the clock, as they ran 39 times, passing just 21 times, and held a nine-minute advantage in time of possession.
Winston set an NFL record, becoming the first quarterback to throw five touchdowns with under 150 (he had 148) passing yards in a game.
Afterward, he told NBC's Peter King that his best play of the day was a pass that he threw out of bounds rather than force down the sideline into coverage.
In Winston's last matchup against the Panthers in London in 2019 for Tampa Bay, he had five interceptions and a lost fumble, and was sacked seven times. After Sunday's performance, he may give this Panthers' defense a few more headaches than presents.
Check the names again
The Saints have had some familiar playmakers on offense during their run of NFC South titles, but this week may force fans to look at their roster cards a second time.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas won't be back for Week 2 as he continues to rehab his ankle injury. Running back Latavius Murray was released just before the season opener. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is now in Buffalo, and Jared Cook is playing for the Chargers.
So that leaves running back Alvin Kamara. And some new guys.
Tony Jones Jr., a second-year running back out of Notre Dame had 50 yards on 11 carries on Sunday. Returner Deonte Harris had a 55-yard touchdown catch, and second-year tight end Juwan Johnson had three catches for two touchdowns.
Give the Saints offensive line credit, as they didn't allow a sack and gave up just three QB pressures while opening holes for 171 yards of rushing offense against a Packers defense that ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed in 2020.
Of course, Kamara is still one of the top dual-threat running backs in the NFL, constantly going back and forth with Christian McCaffrey for most scrimmage yards since the two of them came into the league together in 2017.
New injuries on the defensive front
New Orleans was especially stout defensively as they shut down Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, forcing three turnovers and applying seven QB hits while not allowing a touchdown in arguably Rodgers' worst game of his career.
However, it might be a bit of a pyrrhic victory on the defensive front as there are reports on injuries to cornerback Marshon Lattimore and defensive end Marcus Davenport. Both could potentially miss Sunday's game.
Defensive end Cameron Jordan will be playing in his 21st career game against the Panthers. He's averaged 3.7 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over his career against Carolina.
The Saints defense will be leaning on decorated veterans like him and safety Malcolm Jenkins as they come to face a young Panthers offense on Sunday.
The Panthers trail the all-time series against the Saints, 27-29. Carolina has played New Orleans more than any other team in its history.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) keeps his eyes on New Orleans Saint quarterback Drew Brees at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' Rod Smart (32) runs past cheering teammates for a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 5, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel (10) evades New Orleans Saints Marcus Williams at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
New Orleans Saints defenders Roman Harper (41) and Jason David (42) try to defend Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. Smith caught the long pass to keep the Panthers' game-winning drive alive as they defeated the Saints 33-31. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles as New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant (94) pursues during the second half of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints kicker Olindo Mare right, tries to grab the ball as Steve Weatherford (7) scrambles with Carolina Panthers Richard Marshall after the kick was blocked in the second half of their football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) gets by New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas on his way to a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, bottom, lies on the field after being sacked by Carolina Panthers defender Richard Marshall (31) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields (58) celebrates sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks (2), center, on ground (partially obscured), at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. The Panthers defeated the Saints, 10-6. On ground at right is Saints' Spencer Folau.(AP Photo/Doug Keese)
Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, left, intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston, right, during the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore (3) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay, center, is surrounded by his teammates after his field goal as time expired in an NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The celebration begins as Carolina Panthers' Todd Sauerbrun (10) John Kasay (4) and Kris Mangum (86) enjoy their 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Kasay kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Leave the field for the Saints is Jay Bellamy (20). Holding for Kasay was punter Todd Souerbrun (10). (AP Photo/Andrew Cohoon)
New Orleans Saints defenders Johnathan Sullivan, left, and Brian Young (66) pursue Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
