What We Learned From Week 8 in the N.F.L.
The New York Times
The Saints' defense stepped up when Jameis Winston went down, Josh Allen shook off an uncharacteristically sloppy start, and wide receivers around the league auditioned for Tuesday’s trade deadline.
They’ve been banging at the Super Bowl door for half a decade. They’ve had their collective hearts ripped out in new inconceivable ways each January.
Could 2021 be the year the New Orleans Saints break through again? A 36-27 win over the defending-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers should absolutely fill this injury-ravaged team with belief that it can be.
They had every reason to fold. Starting quarterback Jameis Winston was carted off the field with a knee injury in the first half. His backup, Taysom Hill, was still out with a concussion. They were playing the same opponent that had ended their 2020 season. And, yet, the Saints took Tom Brady’s best shots, kept pace behind the journeyman Trevor Siemian until the defense came up with a game-saving play.
