Sunday Showdown:
Saints & Bucs Both Looking to Avoid Dropping Four In a Row
Saints & Bucs Both Looking to Avoid Dropping Four In a Row
Here's my weekly take on the Keys to the Game for the Saints Sunday showdown!
My, what a week. All of the suspensions vacated. The Players get their salaries back, but the coaches/organizations are the scapegoats. So here we are, with three games left in the season, two of the three are to be played at home….and the first of two potential Wild Card teams, the Bucs, are who we take on Sunday (the other being Dallas). If you recall, Tampa was the game after snapping the four game skid against the Chargers. San Diego was a start, but Tampa arguably brought our season back to life. Vilma returned, Malcolm Jenkins ‘saved’ our season, there was an amazing Goal Line Stand, Drew Brees put a game’s worth of work in during the first half, Vincent Jackson torched us for 216 yards, and the Saints held on to win a close one 35-28. Both teams are in need of a win here, as they are both on three game losing streaks, and a loss on either side assuredly kills each team’s playoff hopes. Yes, mathematically the Saints aren’t out of it. In reality? They arguably are.
Offense
This offense is lost right now. It’s a reality. Considering the drought the Saints went through, and didn’t get their first offensive touchdown until the 3rd Quarter against the Giants in over 12 possessions. The problems have been the turnovers. It’s scary to think that Drew has thrown 9 Interceptions over 3 games, and his TD-INT Ratio is still 32:18. It’s been an absolute killer to say the least. I’ve said this a few times, but something is wrong with Jimmy Graham, he’s not 100%. I give him mad props for playing through whatever is ailing him, but with the amount of drops he has had this year, some start to wonder if he’s hurting us more than he’s helping us at time. However, even a 60% Graham is scary for us. He has to make those easy catches when he’s called upon. We smartly used our Hydra Running Back assortment last week against the Giants, and I don’t look for much change. The key for our offense is simply hold on to the ball, and make it count.
This offense is lost right now. It’s a reality. Considering the drought the Saints went through, and didn’t get their first offensive touchdown until the 3rd Quarter against the Giants in over 12 possessions. The problems have been the turnovers. It’s scary to think that Drew has thrown 9 Interceptions over 3 games, and his TD-INT Ratio is still 32:18. It’s been an absolute killer to say the least. I’ve said this a few times, but something is wrong with Jimmy Graham, he’s not 100%. I give him mad props for playing through whatever is ailing him, but with the amount of drops he has had this year, some start to wonder if he’s hurting us more than he’s helping us at time. However, even a 60% Graham is scary for us. He has to make those easy catches when he’s called upon. We smartly used our Hydra Running Back assortment last week against the Giants, and I don’t look for much change. The key for our offense is simply hold on to the ball, and make it count.
Defense
It is hard to point blame on our defense for last week. If you played on a short field for over half of the possessions, it would be a little tough to stop the opposing offense as well. The defense surrendered 394 yards last week, and David Wilson rushed for exactly 100 yards on the day. Victor Cruz managed to catch 8 balls for 121 yards, and a score. However, Manning was intercepted twice, including a beautiful pick six by Elbert Mack. Sadly, we were never able to sack Eli on the day. The last time we faced the Bucs, we had a very good defensive outing in terms of pressure, turnovers, and game changing plays. As the squad takes the field, there’s more to build on here. Force Freeman to make some poor decisions, blanket Jackson, and stuff up Doug Martin. One side note, we didn’t have David Hawthorne available during the first game, and since he has came back, the rushing hasn’t been as one sided as it once was to start the year. I look for him to play a big factor in containing Martin, but I don’t expect him to be fully shut him down.
It is hard to point blame on our defense for last week. If you played on a short field for over half of the possessions, it would be a little tough to stop the opposing offense as well. The defense surrendered 394 yards last week, and David Wilson rushed for exactly 100 yards on the day. Victor Cruz managed to catch 8 balls for 121 yards, and a score. However, Manning was intercepted twice, including a beautiful pick six by Elbert Mack. Sadly, we were never able to sack Eli on the day. The last time we faced the Bucs, we had a very good defensive outing in terms of pressure, turnovers, and game changing plays. As the squad takes the field, there’s more to build on here. Force Freeman to make some poor decisions, blanket Jackson, and stuff up Doug Martin. One side note, we didn’t have David Hawthorne available during the first game, and since he has came back, the rushing hasn’t been as one sided as it once was to start the year. I look for him to play a big factor in containing Martin, but I don’t expect him to be fully shut him down.
Special Teams
Under the most practiced play of the week, you’ll find Kickoff Coverage. Everyone was repulsed by the poor coverage displayed last week against the Giants, which allowed them to have roughly 75% of their drives start inside Saints territory. They also surrendered a Kick Return TD to David Wilson. I said it in my last week recap, but when you have to rely on Thomas Morstead making your tackles, you’re doing it wrong. Close the holes, and get your assignments right. As far as the other parts, Hartley has been fairly solid after a rocky start, so again, he has to stay perfect. Morstead does his thing, but I’m betting weather last week played a big factor in his short kickoffs.
Under the most practiced play of the week, you’ll find Kickoff Coverage. Everyone was repulsed by the poor coverage displayed last week against the Giants, which allowed them to have roughly 75% of their drives start inside Saints territory. They also surrendered a Kick Return TD to David Wilson. I said it in my last week recap, but when you have to rely on Thomas Morstead making your tackles, you’re doing it wrong. Close the holes, and get your assignments right. As far as the other parts, Hartley has been fairly solid after a rocky start, so again, he has to stay perfect. Morstead does his thing, but I’m betting weather last week played a big factor in his short kickoffs.
X-Factor
Again, the team lives, breathes, and dies by #9 right now. His on-field performance, and decisions have been less than par. The good thing about Drew, however, is he takes responsibility, and doesn’t give excuses. Brees has to keep his poise, and I believe he's due for a huge turnaround game here.
Again, the team lives, breathes, and dies by #9 right now. His on-field performance, and decisions have been less than par. The good thing about Drew, however, is he takes responsibility, and doesn’t give excuses. Brees has to keep his poise, and I believe he's due for a huge turnaround game here.
The Saints Organization, Coaches, Players, Who Dat Nation, and Fans are upset, and rightfully so. A lot of us feel extremely ‘cheated’ because of what has transpired. A lot of ‘talk’ has circulated about what to do, working hard, and all sorts of other things. However, I’veyet to see it transpire onto the field in the past few games. Talk is cheap, actions speak louder. If the Saints want to show everyone how much they’ve been affected, bring it to the field. Show us you aren’t going to back down. Deliver.
Final Prediction: Saints 31, Bucs 23
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