The New Orleans Saints' strong start to Week 1 has continued late into the second quarter, as Tyrann Mathieu forced a fumble on Jonathan Mingo and then recovered it through the scrum of players going for it.

This is Mathieu's first forced fumble and first recovery since 2022 when he got his first for the Saints and only to date for his new team. Mathieu did a great job sticking with the play and running along behind Mingo before diving out and punching the ball from behind, which knocked it out onto the ground and into the scrum.

Mathieu's takeaway allowed the Saints to drive and get a field goal on the next possession, going up 23-0 shortly before halftime and taking a commanding lead, looking to extend their Week 1 winning streak to six games. We will see how the game ends, but Mathieu has continued the momentum for New Orleans and put them in a great position nearing the halftime break.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: WATCH: Tyrann Mathieu forces and recovers his own fumble against the Panthers