The Saints are 0-1 and will now host their first game of the season in the Superdome against division rival Tampa. The Bucs are 0-1 as well on the heels of a horrid performance against the Titans where they lost 42-14. Perhaps most embarrassing was the fact that they passed on Marcus Mariota, who ostensibly set them on fire after going #2 to the Titans, while the man they selected #1 Jameis Winston struggled. Under 50% completions and 2 interceptions is something I would gladly take out of Winston’s first road game as a professional. Of course we’d feel a lot better about this game if the Saints looked even decent in their own opener. I realize there’s 14 games after this but I firmly believe this is a must win if the Saints want any shot at a competitive season in 2015. Here’s five things I’m looking for.
1. End the home losing streak
The Saints have not won in the Superdome since October 26th, 2014. We’re coming up on 11 months since that magical night they upset the Packers. That’s five consecutive losses at home and seven if you count the two preseason games this year. Any mystique or intimidation factor that existed is now gone. Teams do not fear the Saints and they don’t mind coming to the Superdome. That’s the X factor that the Saints need to regain this year. Losing to the worst team in the NFL a year ago, sending this losing streak into a further abyss while the Saints drop to a close to insurmountable 0-2 would be insanely deflating way too early in the season. This game is a must win and the Saints have to find a way to do it. The week 1 loss isn’t a back breaker, but this would be. It needs to start with good fan support, enthusiasm, and a new mojo in the Superdome.
2. Limiting turnovers or you sink to the level of an inferior team
Tampa went 2-14 last year but they really should have won two games against the Saints. You’ll remember a suspect called back pick six in the first game due to a helmet hit on Drew Brees. The Bucs win that game in the Dome without that fortunate call. Even after that, the Saints mounted an improbable comeback with Pierre Thomas, Junior Galette and Khiry Robinson putting them on their back. The second game was a blowout in favor of the Bucs before they basically became the French and waved the white flag forfeiting any human decency inviting the opposition to pillage them. That second half would allow the Saints to come back and “win”. Except the Bucs won, because they got the first pick, and the Saints missed out by one slot on Danny Shelton. In both games, Lovie Smith and the Bucs had Brees’s number. In the first game Brees threw 3 interceptions and the Saints lost the turnover battle 3-1. In the second game Brees once again threw 3 picks and the turnover battle was the same. So how did the Saints manage to sweep the Bucs last year despite losing the turnover battle 6-2 in both games combined? Because the Bucs are absolutely terrible, that’s why. But the Saints went to overtime in the first game and the won the second by 3 points. Imagine how much more comfortable those wins would have been without being so sloppy with ball security. Now in the first game at Arizona, I thought Brees took very good care of the football against a very talented secondary. The turnover battle was 1-1 and Brees’s lone pick was completely Marques Colston’s fault. Anyway, don’t lose the turnover battle by two and you’ll probably fair better against a bad team at home. But the Bucs confused Brees last year, hopefully it doesn’t happen again.
3. Can the Saints stop Doug Martin enough to enjoy a rookie quarterback’s mistakes?
A rookie QB’s first start on the road typically doesn’t go well. Just ask Robert Griffin III. Ok, bad example, he shredded the Saints. Maybe ask Max Hall or Colt McCoy. Ok ok, Winston is probably going to be awesome. Seriously though, Winston struggled against Tennessee and now he’s going to face a hostile crowd. Hopefully a really hostile one (if you’re going to the game be positive and be loud – this team needs it). But the Saints are weak against the run and Tampa doesn’t want their rookie QB making mistakes and costing them the game. So they’re going to pound Doug Martin over and over and over and force the Saints to prove they can stop him. But can they? This is a huge test for this makeshift defensive line of Akiem Hicks, Kevin Williams, John Jenkins and subs (I don’t mention Cam because I believe he’ll be fine). And this is a huge test for Stephone Anthony too. If the Saints can’t perform well in the trenches, they’ll never give Winston an opportunity to screw up. And if you can reap from the mistakes of a inexperienced quarterback it will lead to frustration. These kids need to grow up fast.
4. What does the receiver rotation look like?
The Cardinals have an awesome defensive backfield but the receivers weren’t good in that game. Brandin Cooks was largely shut down by Patrick Peterson, Colston dropped everything in site, and while Brandon Coleman’s touchdown was nice – his drop killed a drive. As usual he was inconsistent. So the Saints re-sign Joe Morgan, Sean Payton says he’ll be involved, and then Willie Snead tells Nick Underhill he expects to see a lot more snaps this week. So if Morgan and Snead see an uptick, who loses? We know Cooks isn’t going anywhere… so either Coleman is getting benched despite making the biggest play for the Saints offense in that game, or Colston is. My money is on the latter but I still have a little trouble believing they would actually tell Colston to sit and not use him. So who plays and how much will be very interesting. It looks like a rotation mix up at receiving is on the horizon. It wouldn’t hurt to see Josh Hill more involved, too.
5. Welcome to the NFL kid.
For this team to have success this year, they’re going to need a surprise player to have a big role each week. In week 1, I’d say it was Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead. The former’s TD and latter’s 63 yard reception were both AWESOME. But it wasn’t nearly enough and the Saints need more to win. The Saints are just so young we’re going to need moments like that each week to secure a win. The Saints can’t just win with Brees being Brees. So whether it’s Bobby Richardson getting a huge sack, Damian Swann getting a timely pick six or Marcus Murphy running back a kickoff, the Saints need a surprise hero. No time like the present.
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