When most people were predicting who the elite teams would be in the NFC this season, the New Orleans Saints were left out. They must have taken offense.
New Orleans has looked the part of a true Super Bowl contender to open the season, albeit in just a two-week sample size.
After they blew out the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, most didn’t think twice about it due to the ineptitude of the Panthers. But following a rout of the Dallas Cowboys on the road, New Orleans has popped up on the map of contenders.
More news: NFL Power Rankings — Cowboys and 49ers Fall, Chargers and Saints Skyrocket
New Orleans did pretty much whatever they wanted against Dallas, putting up 432 total yards in the win. Quarterback Derek Carr performed very well, throwing for 243 yards with two touchdowns and one interception on the day.
During the second quarter of the victory, Carr scored a rushing touchdown and celebrated by doing an ode to the late Michael Jackson. He has since been fined $14,000 for that celebration, including the crotch grab that he did. Here’s a video of the play and celebration:
The fine by the NFL is another example of why the league has been called “The No Fun League” over the years. This particular fine did seem a little excessive, especially since Carr wasn’t penalized during the game for the celebration.
But the Saints quarterback will likely take the fine in stride since his team came away with the massive win.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Carr received a big fine after the win over the Cowboys.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
New Orleans is going to need Carr to continue playing with this type of confidence if they want to reach the postseason. On the year, he has thrown for 443 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
He has been the catalyst for the Saints’ rise this season as he looks more comfortable in year two in the New Orleans system. Carr is in the second year of a four-year contract that he signed with the team during the 2023 offseason.
Entering the year, there was some thought that Carr could be in a quarterback competition at some point in the year. But so far, he has shut any of that talk down with his tremendous play.
Read more: Surprise NFL Team Could Have QB Competition Sooner Rather Than Later
New Orleans will look to go 3-0 on the season this weekend when they host the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia is coming off a loss on Monday Night Football to the Saints’ division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons.
For more news and updates on the Saints, make sure to head over to Newsweek Sports.
