NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees was the easy choice for my game ball. But here are some more individual highs and lows from the New Orleans Saints’ 26-24 loss to the New England Patriots:

HIGHS

Brandin Cooks: If the buzz can possibly grow any louder around the Saints’ dynamic second-year receiver, it will after Saturday night. He cruised behind the Patriots’ D for a 45-yard TD pass from Brees and finished with four catches for 117 yards. He also ran once for seven yards.

Hau’oli Kikaha: The Saints’ rookie outside linebacker helped set the tone on the first play of the game, stuffing New England’s LeGarrette Blount for a 5-yard loss. He got some nice pressure on a couple of other plays, too, and finished with five tackles.

Pierre Warren: New Orleans’ second-year safety has had a quiet summer, but he made a terrific play to snag an interception on an overthrown deep ball from New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter. He also had at least one other nice pass break-up -- the kind of plays that can help get a guy off the bubble.

LOWS

Brandon Coleman: I’m not giving up on the Saints’ second-year undrafted receiver as a super-sleeper this season. But so far he’s only done it on the practice field instead of games. He had a chance for a 9-yard TD pass from Brees on the opening drive, but Patriots safety Devin McCourty knocked it out of hands. Coleman finished with zero catches.

Andrus Peat: This might not be fair, since the bad plays always stand out over the good ones for offensive linemen until I go back and watch the tape. But the Saints' top draft pick got beat pretty badly by pass rusher Jabaal Sheard on a third-down play -- then got an animated message from coach Sean Payton on the sideline. Peat did have one outstanding run block of note.

Josh Morgan: It wasn’t a bad night, since he caught two passes for 59 yards. But he fumbled at the end of a 31-yard catch, which hurt his chances of vaulting ahead in a crowded battle for roster spots.