The Saints are coming off a 3 game homestand losing streak and now they have to go on the road to face another superior team. And when the Saints have played a superior team this year it hasn’t gone well. This isn’t a must win for the Saints in their quest for the NFC South title (in my estimation). Three of their final five games will be against each of their NFC South opponents, and sweeping those three should be enough to get them in the playoffs. Still, a win could go a really long way because if nothing else this team is desperate for SOMETHING, anything, to go right. Their confidence could use a major boost. Here’s five things I’ll be looking for:
1. Answering the Bell
The Saints have been beyond atrocious in their attempts to stop the run lately. They gave up 186 yards to the Bengals (5.2 per carry) and 215 yards to the Ravens (6.7 per) in the last two weeks. That’s now four straight games they’ve given up over 100. Filling their gaps, tackling and staying disciplined have to improve. Unfortunately here enters Le’Veon Bell, freshs off a 204 yard rushing performance against the Titans. If you think Jeremy Hill and Justin Forsett embarrassed the Saints, Bell has the potential to make it much worse. Unfortunately the Saints are without Brodrick Bunkley and Rafael Bush – two guys that I think are critical to this team’s ability to limit the run. Without them, I think it’s going to be hard to see much improvement. I fully expect the Steelers to run early and often. The Steelers are the best offense the Saints have faced all year (ranked 5th in the NFL) and they are equally intimidating on the ground as in the air. This doesn’t bode well at all from a matchup point of view. I’m hoping for a miracle.
2. 3rd and automatic
As bad as the run defense has been the last two weeks, the 3rd down efficiency on defense has been worse. Like, the worst I have ever seen. Distance to go almost doesn’t matter. 3rd and 6, 3rd and 8, 3rd and 12, 3rd and more than 20…? Doesn’t matter. First down the other team. The Saints have given up 9 for 13 the last two weeks. Thanks to these two games the Saints have ballooned to a 48% efficiency on 3rd downs defensively, which is dead last in the NFL. There’s been a huge emphasis placed on getting off the field this week, but will it matter?
3. Moore sadness?
You just know this game means a ton to Lance Moore and I’m sure the Steelers will try to find a way to get him in the end zone at some point. Moore has had a really poor season, just 11 catches on the year. But as we’ve seen too many times this year, the Saints defense is the perfect cure for a struggling player. The Saints have a really bad habit of allowing big performances to former players. Most recent memory recalls Chris Ivory bowling over the team last season. Moore is clearly a player on decline but he was a great Saint and I’m looking forward to watching him play. That said, I’m hoping his lack of success this season continues for one more week.
4. Can Drew Brees play a perfect game?
If there’s any silver lining here it’s that the Steelers’ defense is not what it used to be. While their defense is 13th overall, they’re 23rd against the run and 25th in sacks. So unlike the Ravens they don’t stop the run that well and they don’t have a scary pass rush. This will need to be a shootout with the Saints’ offense performing at its highest level for a win to be possible. The good news is the Saints should be able to move the ball on the Steelers, so that’s not utterly impossible. There’s been lots of talk this year that Brees is having back breaking turnovers at critical times. My opinion is that all times in the game are critical because Brees has zero margin. It doesn’t matter when he has a turnover in the game, whenever it happens it equates to the team losing. So Brees needs to be perfect. For the Saints to win they can’t get anything short of how Brees played against the Ravens, minus the pick six. Tall order for sure, but that’s what it will take. The Steelers will put up yards and points, that much is for certain.
5. Miss Bliss
Kickers are 21 for 21 against the Saints in 2014, including a second 55 yarder that happened last week. Dating back to last year that’s now 25 consecutive field goals made against the Saints. Can we please get a fluke miss at some point? The game is outdoors in Pittsburgh so maybe being away from the Superdome could help this cause. Unfortunately Steelers’ kicker Shaun Suisham is 18 for 20 on the year, so a miss by that guy isn’t too likely. I have no idea what the NFL record is for consecutive good field goals given up and I’ve looked everywhere for that answer with no luck. All I know is 25 in a row has to be damn close if it’s not already the record. This streak is bordering on ridiculous and I’m desperate for it to end asap. I’ll take anything. A fluke block, a 61 yard attempt that had no chance before halftime – anything. Please just miss a field goal against the Saints one time.
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