The NFL’s second season, better known as the playoffs, will make its way to the Mercedez-Benz Superdome for the second of two games this Saturday. The New Orleans Saints will host the Detroit Lions, who are making their first postseason appearance since 1999. In order for New Orleans to move on to the divisional round next week, the offense will continue the amazing pace it has set since the season’s beginning. Such is easier said than done, as the Lions have one of the better defensive front-7s in the NFL. The chess match between Saints offense and Lions defense will prove to be key in Saturday’s contest.
Pass Offense
The New Orleans Saints go into Saturday night’s matchup possessing one of the top passing offenses in NFL history. Led by QB Drew Brees, the Saints averaged 334.2 yards per game during the 2011 regular season. Averaged. That statistic is absolutely mind-blowing, even in the pass-happy, offense-friendly NFL of today. Brees has done a remarkable job spreading the wealth to a bevy of talented receivers; nine different players have been on the receiving end on touchdown passes, ranging from old reliable targets (Marques Colston), to emerging stars (Jimmy Graham), to guys at the depths of the depth chart (John Gilmore). A strong running game has helped Brees tremendously, taking pressure off of the quarterback by making the secondary play closer to the line of scrimmage (more on this in a bit).
The Saints passing game, however, will be challenged by a very talented Detroit Lions defense. The Lions allowed an average of 239.4 yards per game during the regular season (22nd in the NFL). A below average secondary has allowed Detroit to get gassed in games previous (331 yards to Tony Romo, Week 4; 307 yards to Aaron Rodgers, Week 12), but the impressive defensive front still provides a multitude of matchup nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators. Much of the focus on the Lions’ defensive line goes to DT Ndamukong Suh. Suh, who missed the Saints-Lions regular season meeting with suspension thanks to this, is maybe the best overall defensive tackle in the NFL. Containing him will certainly be priority number one for the Saints’ offensive line.
Outside of Suh, the Lions still have a defensive line that most analyists would consider elite. DEs Cliff Avril (11 sacks) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (8 sacks) provide pressure from the outside that allows Suh and the rest of the defensive line rotation to get involved. A steady rotation of linemen keep the Detroit defense rested and fresh, which will be important for the unit to have any shot at success against the Saints’ offensive machine.
Drew Brees shined (26 of 36, 342 yards, 3 touchdowns, no picks) during the Week 13 win against Detroit. Expect more of the same on Saturday. Even with Suh in the lineup, Detroit’s defensive front will be overmatched and tire quickly from a variety of quick passes to slot recivers and swing passes out of the backfield to Sproles and Thomas. A good running game will set up a play-action attack, which will allow the speedy combo of Meachem and Henderson to get down field for the big play.The Saints simply have too many weapons for the Lions to cover, and that will ultimately come to fruition on gameday.
Let’s just put it this way: Matt Flynn put up 480 yards and 6 touchdowns last week against Detroit. It’s safe to say Brees has the advantage in this one.
Next.
Run Offense
Could the Saints running game be the most undervalued unit in the NFL? When the Saints’ offense is discussed from a national prospective, the passing game is brought up first and foremost, and with good reason. New Orleans, however, possesses one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL. The Saints averaged 132.9 yards per game this season (6th in the NFL). More importantly, the running back corps of the Saints average 4.9 yards per carry. Having the ability to get around 5 yards per touch on the ground allows for an already dangerous offense to become one that can adapt to any type of game situation. Most of the credit for the strong running attack should go to the Saints’ offensive line, which, according to Football Outsiders, ranks as the top run blocking line in football.
The Lions have had trouble trying to stop the run this season. Detroit allowed an average of 128.1 yards per game on the ground this year (23rd in the NFL). This statistic is a bit perplexing, given that the Lions are very talented and deep along the line. A good line, in theory, would tie up the opposing offensive line, thus allowing a decent linebacking corps to make plays and tackle the ballcarrier. Nonetheless, opposing running backs have had success against the Lions (Matt Forte: 116 yards, Week 5; Frank Gore: 141 yards, Week 6; Michael Turner: 122 yards, Week 7).
In the Week 13 contest, the Saints only had 100 yards on 23 rushing plays, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. Mark Ingram led the way for New Orleans, posting 54 of those yards on 16 attempts. Without Ingram in the lineup, Sean Payton will look to RB Chris Ivory as the power runner. He has come along nicely in Ingram’s absence, acting as a change of pace guy, complimenting the speedy Darren Sproles and general purpose back in Pierre Thomas.
The Saints need to set up the run early and often against the Lions if they want to be successful. Keeping Brees off of the turf will be extremely important, and a good running game will certainly help that along. Look for Ivory to get more carries than he has previously, as well as spot runs from Thomas. I also expect Payton to implement draw plays with Sproles; this is a great antedote for a hungry Lions pass rush, and quell some of the aggressiveness from the opposing defensive line.
Matchup(s) to Watch
1. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh vs. Saints Interior Offensive Line. This is probably the most important matchup of the game for the Saints on offense. Suh is not only the most talented member of the Lions’ defensive line, but he is the emotional spark-plug of the entire unit. He sets the tone, for better or for worse, for everyone on defense. If he can be slowed and frustrated by the likes of G Jahri Evans, G Carl Nicks, and C Brian De La Puente, that will radiate throughout Detroit’s entire defense.
2. Saints TE Jimmy Graham vs. Lions S Louis Delmas. Graham has given opposing defenses fits all year long, and that should be the case this weekend. If the Lions have any chance in stopping the talented Graham, it will rest on the shoulders of S Louis Delmas, a talented 3rd year defender from Western Michigan. Delmas is arguably the Lions’ best defensive back, and his physicality will be key in trying to slow down the Saints’ star tight end.
3. Saints FB Jed Collins vs. Lions LB Stephen Tulloch. Tulloch, the top tackler for Detroit, will be called upon to stop whatever Saints ballcarrier comes his way. A strong running attack from New Orleans will come as a result of not only strong offensive line play, but a good outing from Collins. If Collins can continue to open holes and set up runs for the Saints’ backfield, expect the run to come along with much more ease.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks