Gameday is here and it is the first noon kickoff the Saints have seen since week ten. The Saints go on the road to face the Tennessee Titans, another team fighting for a playoff spot. It should be a little bit on the cold side in Nashville for today’s game, so let’s see how the Saints play outside of their comfort zone. It will be a great game as the Saints look to get win number ten on the season and here are five things I will be watching for in today’s game.
1. Are the Titans a factor in the AFC playoff picture?
On paper the Titans are in fact a team in the thick of the AFC playoff race but on the field it is another story. They have a soft schedule , winning games they are favored in and losing to teams with better records have been the Titans’ season up to this point. Winning this game today against the Saints would quiet the naysayers talking about the Titans playoff chances as it is a game they should not win. I think the Titans are a good football team but with limited firepower on offense and their inability to get the opposing offense off the field will hurt the Titans going forward in their quest to lock down a playoff spot.
2. Can the Saints play good football on the road?
The Saints in previous seasons have played better on the road than at home but this season they have suffered all of their losses on the road. I don’t think it is anything to worry about but it would be a good win to go on the road and beat the Titans. It is looking like a third seed is in the cards for the Saints in the playoffs, so winning on the road will be paramount to getting back to the Super Bowl.
3. Will the injury to Mark Ingram hurt the running game?
Mark Ingram has stepped up the last couple of weeks giving the Saints some much needed tough yards. While this injury would hurt most teams, it is a strength for the Saints as they have multiple backs who can step up as one goes down. So get better Mark as the Saints will need all hands on deck going into the playoffs.
4. How can the Saints stop Chris Johnson?
It would have been nice to play the Titans earlier as Chris Johnson struggled to get his footing after missing most of training camp. Over the last couple weeks Johnson has rushed for the century mark four out of the last five games. If I was Coach Williams I would go in this game knowing that Johnson would get his yards and I would bring pressure causing havoc in the passing game. It also helps if the Saints get up early as the Titans will have to abandon the running game to play catch up.
5. What are the playoff scenarios for the Saints this week?
The goal of going back to the playoffs are within reach for the Saints this year. They will clinch the division with a win and a loss by the Falcons, and they will clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss by either the Lions or the Bears. So first things first: don’t worry about what other teams are doing just win and everything will fall into place.
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