[jwplayer z6PnsmL5-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints disassembled the Carolina Panthers in their regular season finale, winning their seventh consecutive road game and improving to a 13-3 record on the year so far. There was a lot to learn in New Orleans’ lopsided victory, so let’s get right to it.

Jared Cook is going to be a problem in the postseason

Cook was only targeted twice, but he caught both passes to gain 60 yards and score a touchdown. His first catch was a 37-yard gain down the seam in which he was just too big and athletic for the Panthers defense to keep up with. The second lob sent Cook’s way was one of the prettiest receptions you’ll ever see, with the big tight end reeling in a one-handed catch for six points.

The Saints made a point to involve many different receiving options on Sunday, but you can bet that Cook will get more than two opportunities in the upcoming playoffs. He could very well lead the team in targets now that he and Brees have gotten on the same page, which spells trouble for opposing defenses. Good luck preparing for Cook in addition to Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara.

Taysom Hill will be dangerous, too

In the event that a talent-loaded defense does prepare well for Cook, Thomas, and Kamara, it’s reassuring to know that Hill is up to the task as a real receiving threat. The do-it-all quarterback has expanded his skills set in his third year with the team, and he ended up catching six touchdown passes this season. Hill has rapidly developed into a scoring threat for the Saints both in the red zone and from further afield. Credit to him for putting in the work to become as much a technician as an athlete.

While Hill’s most prominent usage still comes on special teams and in option snaps from the shotgun, don’t be shocked if the Saints use him as a mismatch weapon in the postseason. Teams don’t have as much film to study of him in that role, and he’s already thrived despite the small sample size. If the Saints get favorable looks with Hill lined up in the slot or at tight end, they’ll give him a chance to make a play.

The Saints defense travels well

Carolina averaged just 2.3 yards per rushing attempt as a team, and their quarterbacks were sacked twice and hit five other times. The Saints defense logged 9 pass deflections with both A.J. Klein and Janoris Jenkins getting interceptions. Maybe they’re able to communicate better on the road — whatever the case, New Orleans playing punishing football on defense, and that bodes well for any road trips they’ll have to make in the playoffs.

As a team, the Saints have racked up 51 sacks this year, which is the most of the Sean Payton era. It’s the most since the 2001 season (53 sacks), and ranks among the best in team history (the 2000 Saints collected 66 sacks). And they’ve done considerable damage even without former first-round picks Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins, which says more about the depth the Saints have amassed along the defensive line than anything. They’ve hit home runs on recent undrafted free agent finds like Shy Tuttle, Carl Grandderson, and Taylor Stallworth, and the results speak for themselves.

Special teams might be the edge New Orleans needs

The Saints offense can score on any unit in the league. Their defense can compete with just about anyone, even if they’ve been outplayed in a few key moments this season. But where the Saints shine best might be on special teams, where rookie Pro Bowl returner Deonte Harris has scared opponents into kicking away from him, and the coverage unit bottles up opposing returners. The Panthers had just 29 return yards on Sunday.

This is the sort of “hidden yardage” that can make or break contenders. Harris’s prowess does a lot to set the offense up in favorable starting position; the coverage squad led by Craig Robertson, Justin Hardee, J.T. Gray, and Taysom Hill is highly effective at forcing teams to start deep in their own territory, especially when working with Thomas Morstead’s precise punting. If the other two phases of the game find themselves evenly-matched, the Saints can trust their special teams units to create a spark. And Wil Lutz is one of the best in the business, even late in games.

[vertical-gallery id=25612]