Was Saints’ Win Over Giants as Surprise?

The New Orleans Saints (2-4) won their first game in a while on Sunday. They snapped a three-game losing streak with a 34-27 win over the New York Giants (3-2-1).

The win wasn't perfect. In fact, it featured a handful of errors that would usually prove costly. Among them, that the team could not defend Giants wideout Malik Nabers.

While frustrating, the struggles can't be all that much of a surprise. The Saints have struggled to stop nearly every team's best playmaker in recent weeks with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson all giving fits to the New Orleans defense.

Despite it all, the Saints are back in the win column.

Grant Chachere of New Orleans Saints on SI broke down the performance from the Saints defense and secondary. Here's some of what Chachere had to write on the Saints' streak snapping win.

"Despite grabbing three interceptions, the Saints' secondary once struggled once again against a solid receiving corps in coverage during New York's fourth-quarter comeback.

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely torched New Orleans’ secondary all game. Nabers recorded 12 catches for 165 yards, while Likely had six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.

After replacing Jameis Winston, J.J. McCarthy threw for 243 yards in just over 11 minutes, sparking three straight touchdown drives to trim a 34-10 deficit to seven points. Still, the defense created crucial takeaways: Martin Emerson Jr. had two interceptions (one off McCarthy), Julian Blackmon picked off Winston, and the pass rush logged four sacks on Winston.

Yet, allowing 461 total yards (377 passing) highlights the already serious concerns on whether or not the secondary can slow so. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley must fix these coverage breakdowns to prevent future collapses."

That brings us to the important question: What does it actually mean for the Saints? It's hard to say a team is back in a postseason race at 2-4. Then again, the Saints' conditions for a playoff berth are not as bad as you might imagine.

New Orleans defeated a first-place team in the Giants on Sunday. They also play in an NFC South division whose first-place team is the Carolina Panthers with a 3-2 record. In fact, save for the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, there is no team running away with a postseason spot.

The Saints saved their season, at least for one week. Now, they will look to build off the win.