After a disappointing start to the 2012 season, the New Orleans Saints will look to get back on track against another struggling team in the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams are 0-2 heading into Week 3, and are already behind in their respective divisions. This game is sort of a “must win” for both squads, as the two teams do not want to find themselves down in a deep hole this early in the year.

For the Saints, the issue, as it has been for the past few seasons, is defense. Although New Orleans has a new coordinator, new players, and a new philosophy, the defense continues to struggle. After two embarrassing performances defensively, the Saints will look to right the ship against a sneaky-talented Kansas City Chiefs’ offense.

Sacking Chiefs' QB Matt Cassel is a good way for the Saints' defense to get back on track.

PASS DEFENSE

So far this season, the Saints have had a ton of trouble trying to defend against the pass. For the past two games, New Orleans has allowed an average of 275 yards per game, tied for 26th in the NFL. Teams have over a %70 completion percentage against the Saint defense. Even worse, the team has not forced any interceptions and has only gotten to the opposing quarterback three times thus far.

The absence of a truly consistent pass rush has been one of the main issues for the Saints’ defense thus far. The unit, even with a new scheme, new personnel, and new coordinator, still lacks in one of the more important defensive strategies in football, especially in a pass-happy, multiple-receiver heavy NFL. Perhaps two games is too early to make any true judgement calls, but the rush was somewhat present in the preseason, harassing the poor combination of Kevin Kolb and John Skelton during the Hall of Fame Game.

The Kansas City passing game, led by QB Matt Cassel, has impressed nicely from a yardage perspective, but has yet to score many points. Although the team has averaged  256.5 yards per game through the air this season (10th in the NFL), Kansas City has only scored an average of 20.5 points per game (25th league-wide). Normally, 20.5 points per game should keep a team in most games, but when you surrender over 37 points a game on defense (as Kansas City does), victory is a true rarity. The passing statistic is a bit misleading as well; the Chiefs have trailed mightily during the previous two games, needing to pass in order to try to get back into the contest.

Nonetheless, the Chiefs do have some talent on offense that should make a passing attack at least noteworthy. The aforementioned Cassel isn’t horrible, and can actually make plays when he has a clean pocket. WR Dwayne Bowe is a very nice target. WR Jonathan Baldwin is a young player that has a ton of potential. Even TE Tony Moeaki is a decent receiver.

So why hasn’t the Kansas City passing game taken off? The problem: protecting the quarterback. Cassel has already been sacked eight times this season. In order for the Saints to get their first win of the season, the defense must exploit a weak Chief offensive line. After two weeks of adjusting to a new defensive pass rush scheme, the players should be able to make positive gains this week. Expect Spags to send a bevy of blitz packages in order to apply consistent pressure on Cassel.

The Saints also need to make sure that the check-down receivers (running backs specifically) are well accounted for. If a Saints‘ pass rush comes to fruition and becomes an actual reality, expect the Chiefs to use quick passes and screens in order to take advantage of the overaggressiveness. The Panthers executed the screen very well against New Orleans last week, leading to a wide open touchdown score. Kansas City has a wealth of talent out of the backfield, making opposing defenses accountable for their presence during passing downs.

The Saints will be at somewhat of an advantage this week, as opposed to previous two weeks of the season. First, Matt Cassel isn’t a threat to run. He isn’t exactly the athletic equivlent of a Cam Newton or RG3. New Orleans doesn’t need to commit a linebacker to shadow Cassel the entire game. Secondly, injuries have somewhat slowed the Chief passing game early this year. TE Kevin Boss and WR Dexter McCluster are listed as out and questionable, respectively, for Sunday’s game. Boss provides a solid pass catching option at tight end, giving Kansas City a threat in the middle of the field. McCluster is a dynamic talent, possessing enough sheer speed and athleticism to make most secondaries look slow.

With injuries to some of the Chiefs’ skill position players, a porous offensive line, and a loud Superdome, New Orleans should be able to fluster the Kansas City passing game.

RUN DEFENSE

So far in 2012, the New Orleans Saints have had a tough time trying to stop the run. The defense ranks dead last in average yards allowed per game (186). Opponents also average around 4.4 yards per carry against New Orleans, making the task of stopping drives extremely difficult.

Kansas City’s rushing attack is very important for the overall vitality of the entire offense. In the offseason, the Chiefs added power runner Peyton Hillis to go along with the very talented Jamal Charles at RB. Although Charles is coming off of knee surgery, the duo provides a complimentary speed/power combination. Through two games, Kansas City ranks 5th overall in average yards per game with 151. The team also gains an impressive 5.3 yards per carry, again ranking near the top in the NFL.

For the Saints, a push from the defensive line has been absent, thus leading to a poor showing against the run. Both Washington and Carolina were able to physically manhandle the Saint defensive front, clogging up the linebacking corps and allowing for running backs to run through massive lanes. Missed tackles also plague the defense; yards after contact for the Chiefs need to be limited, especially with Charles and Hillis in the backfield.

If the Saints want to eliminate the Chief rushing attack, defensive line dominance should be placed at a premium. Drew Brees can help out as well; if the offense puts up early points, it might force Kansas City to shy away from running the ball. Eliminating the run will go a long way in leading to a victory for New Orleans.

PLAYERS/COACH TO WATCH

CB Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson has been a bit of a target from opposing quarterbacks this season. During the Redskin and Panther games, Robinson was caught out of position covering WRs Pierre Garçon and Steve Smith, allowing huge passing plays down the field. This week, he will be given the responsibility of either covering Dwayne Bowe or Jonathan Baldwin. Yikes. Even with Cassel as the passer, the possibility of having Robinson cover Bowe on a deep route scares me to no end. Hopefully a pass rush can help out Robinson, which brings us to…

DTs Sedrick Ellis and Brodrick Bunkley

With DEs Cam Jordan and Will Smith handling the outside rush, it is up to the duo of Ellis and Bunkley to provide valuable interior pressure. Both players are very talented in this skill set, but have yet to produce so far this season. This week provides an excellent opportunity for Ellis and Bunkley to get back on track. Kansas City’s offensive line has protection issues, and the interior of the Saint defensive line should be able to take advantage.

DC Steve Spagnuolo

This week, fans will be treated to a better version of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, one that depends upon defensive line pressure and disciplined play. For the past two weeks, not only has the defense continued to learn the new scheme, but has also had to deal with two of the more athletically gifted quarterbacks in the NFL. Against the Chiefs, Spags will get the opportunity to plan for a conventional, pro-style offense for the first time all season. That will prove to be huge for a unit that is still trying to grasp some sense of normalcy.

PREDICTION

After two rough weeks where seemingly everyone (yours truly included) questioned the direction and talent of the team, the New Orleans Saints will play an intense, focused game against an inferior opponent. The Chiefs, who will struggle on both sides of the ball, simply will get out gunned by a more talented Saint roster. The pass rush will show up in this one, leading to a crucial interception from Cassel. Brees will avoid the costly turnover. Albeit a close game, the Saints walk away with their first victory of the season. If New Orleans can’t win this one, start to panic.

Saints 38, Chiefs 34