Not a bad outcome for your first career interception 😅
📺: #NOvsHOU on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/TIHVebjn7h— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
You can’t make this up. C.J. Stroud threw his first career interception to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, with linebacker Zack Baun snagging the pass — the first interception of his four-year NFL career. Then things got wacky.
Baun got greedy and tried to return the interception through traffic, but Texans wide receiver Noah Collins made the play of the day by ripping the ball out of Baun’s hands. Houston left guard Tytus Howard fell on it for, ironically, a gain of two yards.
That can’t happen. Defenders are coached from a young age to fall down and secure the ball when it’s in their hands. Baun made a boneheaded (Baunheaded?) mistake and it cost the team big-time. Dispirited after having that turnover taken back away from them, the Saints defense didn’t challenge Houston’s offense as Stroud quickly moved the offense downfield.
Baun isn’t the only one with dirty hands here. This drive started because rookie kicker Blake Grupe pushed a 52-yard field goal wide right of the uprights (from the left hash). The run defense fell apart on a 17-yard carry by Devin Singletary, then Marshon Lattimore was beaten by Noah Brown on a 34-yard reception, getting away with a slight push off at the start of his route. Then Tyrann Mathieu failed to compete with tight end Dalton Schultz on a too-easy touchdown pass, giving Houston an early lead.
The Saints can’t afford to let momentum swing against them in tight games like this one. They must show some backbone and pick themselves back up after getting knocked down. Letting too many negative plays pile up like this is a recipe for disaster.
CJ Stroud finishes the drive with a TD!
📺: #NOvsHOU on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/pVoQDhVteh— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
