With each game that passes, the Saints 0-4 start is becoming more and more forgettable. Unbelievably,New Orleansfaces the opportunity to get back to .500 this weekend with a win. They sit at 4-5, coming off of their second two game win streak and being 3-1 in their last four games. They’ll face the Oakland Raiders at 3:05 CT on Sunday, when they travel toCaliforniato the “Black Hole”.Oaklandis 3-6 and currently in a two game losing streak in which they’ve given up 42 and 55, respectively.
The Saints’ last two wins have looked much more promising than their first two. Their first two wins came with a one dimensional offense and a defense that was being talked about as going down as the worst defense in NFL history. Since their loss to the Broncos in Week 8 to drop to 2-5,New Orleanshas found a spark in their running game. They have averaged 144 yards rushing in their last two games, which is 52 yards higher than their overall season average. While the defense hasn’t made a 180 degree turnaround, they have played much better recently to help out the offense. The offense comes in to this game ranked 4th in the NFL in total offense, putting up 392.4 yards per game. The Saints may get their most dynamic offensive threat back this weekend, as Darren Sproles has been practicing on a limited basis this week after suffering a broken hand a couple weeks ago.
Oaklandcomes in to this game in a very vulnerable state. They’ve given up an average of 48.5 points per game in their two game losing streak and the Saints are the last team they’d like to see while giving up those types of points. The Raiders rank dead last in the NFL in points per game allowed, giving up 31.6 points on a weekly basis. Their rank in total yardage allowed isn’t very good either, being 23rd in the league and allowing 374.9 yards a game. The closest offense toNew OrleansthatOaklandhas played so far is the Broncos and they lost that game 37-3. The scoreboard may rise early and often forNew Orleans, unless something crazy changes in a hurry.
Pass Offense
In last week’s offensive preview, it was pointed out that Brees had been held under 240 yards passing in his last two games. It was mentioned that with the probable shoot-out approaching between New Orleans and Atlanta, it seemed impossible that he’d be held that low for a 3rd straight time and it would even be shocking to see him stay under 300 yards. Well, he was held under 300 yards, but just 2 yards under. Drew had one of his extremely efficient games, which he didn’t need to post big numbers, thanks to the running game. Jimmy Graham put up his best performance of the season, catching 7 balls for a career high 146 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half. Graham and Lance Moore were targeted 19 times total by Brees.Moorecaught 7 balls as well, as the two of them stepped up big to help the Saints passing game. The aerial attack has been kept from exploding lately, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering it’s the running game that is slowing it down rather than the opposing defenses.
Oakland’s pass defense sits at 24th in the NFL, giving up 255.9 yards per game through the air. They were torched by Joe Flacco and the Ravens last week, asBaltimorehit big play after big play. The Raiders actually did a pretty good job when they played Matt Ryan and the Falcons back in Week 6, holding him to 249 yards passing with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Although they lost, it was their best pass defense of the season, coming against a very high powered air attack.Oaklandis second to last in the NFL at recording sacks, with only eleven on the season. They are also in the bottom half of the league, with only six interceptions on the season.
Look for things to remain the same for both teams this week. The Saints and Drew Brees will continue to be efficient in the passing game and should score early and often. It’s quite possible that Brees will stay around 300 yards once again, but that will all depend on the defense and their ability to hold back a talentedOaklandoffense. If the New Orleans defense plays fairly well, the offense will be playing with a lead for just about all of the day and will operate at a slower pace to try and dominate time of possession.
Rush Offense
This rushing offense has simply become a joy to watch in the last two weeks. Thanks to Chris Ivory, the entire attack has received a much need jolt. Ivory and Mark Ingram have been battling for carries in the last two weeks and their is nothing better than two guys from the same position going back and forth with good plays to try and get more action. A positional battle is great for a team, because each guy pushes the other to be a better player and perform better.
As just about every otherOaklanddefensive ranking, their rush defense isn’t too great, either. They rank 21st in the NFL, giving up 119 yards per game. Just two weeks ago, they were absolutely torched byTampaBayrookie Doug Martin. He finished with 251 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. Three of his touchdowns came from 45 yards or more. They are certainly vulnerable to being run on and the upstart rushing attack ofNew Orleanswill be ready to take their shot at this Raider defense.
As mentioned in the pass offense preview, the results of this game mostly depend on the Saints defense. Of course that can be said for every game, but it’s especially a factor this week. If they don’t play well, these two offenses have the ability to provide an all out shootout, which will lead to a bigger day in the passing game, than the running game. If the defense plays the way they have the last two weeks, the rushing game should perform as well as they have the last two weeks at the very worst. If that’s the case, this game will turn in to a lop-sided blow out, leading to a lot of ground and pound from the Saints rushing attack. It remains to be seen just how the Saints will rotate their four talented running backs, now that Ivory has earned his way on the field and Sproles looks set to return. Expect Sproles and Thomas to be used mostly for the passing game, leaving Ingram and Ivory to continue their battle for backfield supremacy in the rushing attack.
Players to Watch
Chris Ivory and Mark Ingram
It wouldn’t have made much sense if these guys weren’t listed here for this week. We’ve talked about how they are going neck in neck (in a good way) to show who deserves more carries than the other. As long as they both continue to perform close to they have the last two weeks, they should carry the New Orleans rushing attack for the rest of the season and that will start this week vs. a very soft Oakland rushing defense that proved just how bad they can be vs. the Buccaneers two weeks ago.
Marques Colston
For a guy that has scored in his last two games, Colston has been very quiet. He has 7 catches for 72 yard and 2 touchdowns in his last two games, but that was what he was getting in one game just a few weeks ago vs.San DiegoandTampaBay. He’s only been targeted 10 times in those two games, but there will always be an odd man out for a game or two in this offense. Drew Brees spreads the ball around very well and players have the tendency to fall out of the picture for a few games, only to pop up in a big way not long after. This week could be a week which Colston makes a good bit of noise vs. a bad pass defense.
Jimmy Graham
Graham showed everyone that the high ankle sprain sustained vs.San Diegois no longer a factor. He was dominant in more ways than one. First off, he simply cannot be covered. Second, he is very tough to bring down once he catches the ball. ThisOaklandteam is no match for a man of Graham’s stature and he could be in for another big day vs. an inadequate defense.
Prediction
The Saints are rolling right now and will be coming in to this game with the most confidence they’ve had all season. The Raiders are in a tough spot being next in line for a Saints squad that just beat their bitter rivals whom were halfway home to an undefeated season. Of course, this game has the makings of a letdown written all over it, but don’t expect that to be the case with a Drew Brees led team. You can especially not worry about that, because this team will be playing with more focus than they have in a long time as they are 100% dead set on completing a run at the playoffs. Saints will win big on Sunday and head home for a NFC divisional game rematch with the 49ers next week.
Saints – 45
Raiders – 23
Who Dat?!
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