Saints offense showed an important key to success in Week 3, despite ugly performance

The New Orleans Saints offense had an embarrassing performance in their Week 3 loss, but they did have one encouraging sign from the game.

Week 3 didn’t go anything like the New Orleans Saints hoped it would, or how everyone was predicting. After starting the season with two high-scoring outings, the Saints offense fell flat with just 12 points. Starting center Erik McCoy left the game on the first series with an injury, and New Orleans was unable to run the ball or pass protect throughout the game.

Overall, it was an ugly game that Saints fans are hoping is a one off. However, even in the hard-to-watch performance, New Orleans’ offense did show it has a very important key to success. The Saints proved they have a certified go-to receiver in Chris Olave.

Chris Olave proved he’s a reliable go-to receiver against Eagles

This likely isn’t surprising to Saints fans who have recognized Olave’s talent since he joined the team, but this is the season he’s supposed to push his name to the top tier of receivers in the league. His Week 3 performance was a big step in him doing that.

One of the most important traits for top receivers is being reliable in gotta-have-it situations. When the team needs a big play, and everyone knows your number is likely being called, can you still deliver? Olave proved he can in Week 3.

He finished the game with six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Three of his catches came on third downs. On a 3rd-and-6, 3rd-and-8, and 3rd-and-9, Olave pulled in three big catches to extend the drive. His other three receptions came on three long second downs; two 2nd-and-10s and one 2nd-and-11.

The 2nd-and-11 catch was a go-ahead touchdown, that would've been a game-winning score if the defense could get a stop.

Whether it was third down or a long second down, whenever the Saints were in a jam, Derek Carr went to Olave to get them out of it. The connection between the quarterback and the No. 1 receiver is much better in their second year together, and Olave is proving his reliability in tough situations.

That’s an important skill to have, because success in this league doesn’t come without winning tough, close games. A reliable, big-catch receiver is needed to pull those games out. The Saints have one in Chris Olave.