There’s another game down and another week where Saints players, coaches, and especially fans are left scratching their heads. There’s a popular saying, “six one way, half a dozen the other”, which can be used to describe two different paths that lead to the exact same destination. This saying does a pretty good job of representing the Saints so far this season. During their first two games, while the offense and Drew Brees didn’t look completely normal, the defense let them down and didn’t help give the team much of a chance to win. On a day where for nearly three quarters the defense finally began to step up and make plays, the offense became the culprit to blame for their 3rd loss.
It’s said frequently in football, that the best offense is a good defense. Since the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era began, that phrase has been flipped upside down for the most part. Since 2006, the Saints’ defense has never been better than mediocre. The recipe for success has been the offense getting a lead, dominating time of possession, and making the opposing offense one dimensional. It’s been a crucial part of the success the Saints have seen in the last few years and is very much needed for New Orleans to win.
Through the first three games, the offense has not yet successfully completed this game plan. In Week 1, they fell behind from the start. In Week 2, they drove down the field for an opening touchdown, but couldn’t keep momentum for much longer. Finally last week, they got out to an early lead, extended it in the 3rd quarter, but did not control the ball and the clock, which led to the defense quickly becoming fatigued and unable to hold the lead. With a trip to Green Bay on the horizon this weekend and staring across at a hungry, snake-bitten Packers squad with an offense just as talented as the Saints’, Drew Brees and company will have to execute their old game plan to perfection.
Pass Offense
The Saints did exactly as anticipated on their opening drive last week vs. the Chiefs. They were quick, methodical, and used a big play from Darren Sproles to set up an early score. Other than that 83 yard drive and a few plays here and there, the entire offense put up their worst performance during this three game skid to start the year. More drops, particularly by Jimmy Graham, haunted the team’s rhythm and kept them out of sync. Drew Brees had his streak of nine straight games with 300 yards passing broken, only throwing for 240. He was actually on his usual pace to eclipse 300 yards, as he had the 240 that he finished with, at approximately the 4:00 mark in the 3rd quarter. On a 3rd down and 6, a couple minutes before the final quarter, Brees connected with Lance Moore for 34 yards, which would be the last pass he completed in the game. That’s correct, Drew Brees went the entire 4th quarter and OT without completing another pass. The New Orleans passing attack is still ranked highly at 6th in the NFL, as they head in to Green Bay.
The Packers pass defense has been the best in the league even with their 1-2 start. They are sitting at the top, only giving up an amazing 125.5 yards passing per game. Green Bay has faced San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle to start the year, none of which have very threatening aerial attacks, but those numbers are still phenomenal. They have four interceptions this year and have sacked the opposing QBs twelve times. Clay Matthews has been outstanding in pass rush so far, accounting for half of the team’s sacks. In the Packers’ lone win of the season in Week 2 vs. Chicago, they gave Jay Cutler nightmares, picking him off four times and pulling him down for seven sacks.
It will be absolutely crucial for the Saints to not fall behind early as they did vs. the Packers in the 2011 season opener last year. Not only will New Orleans need a good start to get their confidence rolling, but it may be impossible to come from behind if they become one-dimensional. If they do, Green Bay will begin to send the house at Drew Brees. Typically, sending extra rushers at Brees is a death wish, but the Saints’ pass protection has been anything, but consistent so far. Nonetheless, the Packers will come out fired up this week after being snubbed on Monday night, so the missed blocks, drops, and poor throws are going to need to be non-existent for the Saints to have a chance.
Rush Offense
The Saints’ rushing attack continues to be less than threatening. Last game against the Chiefs was their best opportunity so far to get rolling like last year and New Orleans failed to do so. As a team, the Saints only had 19 rushing attempts, one of which was recorded by Drew Brees. Darren Sproles finally got some carries, taking his first of the year for 47 yards on the opening drive. Unfortunately, he only gained 15 more yards on 6 carries for the rest of the game. Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram both added in a whopping 11 yards rushing each, on 6 and 5 carries, respectively. While playing ahead for the entire game, until the game-tying field goal with seconds left in the 4th quarter, it’s largely unknown why the Saints only ran the ball 18 times with their trio of running backs. The weak attack on the ground thus far has New Orleans ranked 22nd in rushing offense.
Green Bay has been much more susceptible in run defense, than their impressive #1 ranked pass D. In Week 1, the Packers gave up 112 yards rushing to Frank Gore to open the year. They improved in Week 2 vs. Chicago, but weren’t tested much as Matt Forte went down fairly early with an ankle injury and the Bears were playing form behind all night. On Monday night, Marshawn Lynch put together a decent night vs. Green Bay, with 25 carries for 98 yards.
As mentioned earlier, it’s imperative that the Saints do not become one-dimensional at any point in this contest. With nothing working well yet this year, it remains to be seen whether the passing game will be the gateway to a successful rushing attack or not. Based on how Green Bay’s defense has played thus far, New Orleans may have to go traditional and come out pounding the ball at the Packers defense. If one individual or even any combination out of Sproles, Thomas, or Ingram come out and have early success, Green Bay’s linebackers and safeties will begin to creep up. Should that happen, Drew will show everyone why he is worth the money he received this offseason.
Players to Watch
QB Drew Brees
He will continue to be listed here until he gets back to his old ways and becomes himself again. Hopefully that won’t be long from now. The Saints’ season very well may lie in the hands of New Orleans’ hero this week, as it always does during crunch time. Unfortunately for the black and gold, this time it’s only in Week 4 of the regular season. Drew spent his Week 3 post-game press conference and most of this week speaking about the strength of this team and how they will stay together when it counts. He’s a natural born leader and great at accomplishing what he really wants, so look for #9 to come out as focused as we’ve seen him since the NFC Divisional game last January.
RB Mark Ingram
They traded back in to the 1st round in 2011 to get this guy for a reason, right? The way Ingram has been used since becoming a Saint, has been a little confusing. Whether or not Ingram was a necessity, he’s here, he’s healthy, and he needs to be used. I’d hope and expect the Saints to do this at some point and there’s no better time than now. New Orleans is on the road, outdoor, and playing the #1 pass defense in the NFL. It could be Pierre Thomas that gets the call simply because of trust, but the Saints need to get Ingram the ball consistently for him to succeed. His best season at Alabama was his sophomore year, when he won the Heisman Trophy and carried the ball sometimes five or six times a possession for the Tide. If he gets that type of opportunity, look for a successful game.
TE Jimmy Graham
Continuing along the run early game plan I believe the Saints may use, Jimmy Graham could have a chance to get back in sync with Drew Brees. As mentioned before, with early success on the ground, Green Bay linebackers and safeties may start to creep up and Graham could make a living down the seam. He’s dropped at least two balls on deep seam routes already this year, but look for a re-focused Jimmy Graham who’ll come out with that beast-like mentality Saints fans have come to love.
Offensive Line
As the situation lies with just about every player and/or position on this team, the offensive line needs to step up big. It’s plain and simple, they’ll need to open holes in the running game and protect Brees with all that they have. If they aren’t able to do even one of them very well, the Saints will be forced to become one-dimensional and things will look shaky.
Prediction:
As a Saints fan, I truly hope this team responds with the championship mentality they are capable of. Green Bay has a good bit of pressure riding on them as well, but unfortunately have a lot more things going for them. They are at home, motivated by what happened to them on Monday, and most importantly, they aren’t missing their head coach. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but my thinking is:
Green Bay – 34
New Orleans – 27
