I guess one thing you could look for is me in the stands? I’ll be at this game. I was so pumped about going after the Giants game because I figured the Saints would find a way at home against the Titans (not that unreasonable at that time) and I’d go to a game with the Saints 5-4 and in the thick of the wild card race. Instead, the Saints lost to one of the worst teams in football at home, they’re 4-5, and their defense appears to get worse by the quarter. At least the weather is projected to be 61 and sunny so I won’t be miserable in the stands if Rob Ryan’s crew puts together a nauseating performance. Well, actually, I will be miserable, but at least I won’t be uncomfortably freezing. So here’s what I’m looking for in this one:
1. Can this defense seriously do anything right?
If you take away the 1st half of the Colts game, the Saints have given up 104 points in the last 11 quarters (which includes overtime). Overtime is not even really fair to count because the Titans scored on their opening drive, didn’t have to attempt a PAT, and easily could’ve poured on much more if it was necessary. But anyway, that’s an average of almost 9.5 points per quarter yielded over the last 11 quarters. If you don’t count overtime, it’s 98 points in 10 quarters. They’ve also given up 1,269 yards in that same span, good for 115.4 yards per quarter. Again, that includes the overtime period against Tennessee where the defense got “bailed out” by a shortened period. If you don’t count that quarter, it’s 118.9 yards yielded per quarter. The current form of this defense is historically bad. It’s worse than Spagnuolo bad. Like worst ever. And they play a poor offense again, of course. So is this going to be more of the same, making Kirk Cousins look like Tom Brady? Or can they actually take advantage of a weaker opponent, slow them down, and make Drew Brees’s life easier for a change? The times good things have happened it’s all been instigated by Cam Jordan. When he plays out of his mind, stops are possible. Hopefully he’s got a big game in him.
2. The kicker battle
I know this sounds weird, but I’m really interested in seeing how the kickers fare against each other. Remember the Saints decided to keep Zach Hocker over Dustin Hopkins in training camp… Hopkins got a job with the Redskins instead at the expense of Kai Forbath. He’s been doing really well in Washington. The Saints then cut a struggling Hocker in favor of Forbath. So it’s Hopkins against Forbath. Forbath is oddly just 1/2 in kicks for the Saints so far with a game winner against the Giants from 50, and his possible game winner against the Titans from 46 was blocked. He’s also 14 of 15 on extra points but the lone miss was due to a bad snap. Forbath was 1/2 with the Redskins before losing his job so he’s just 2/4 on the season. Hopkins, meanwhile, is 12/13. Kind of wish we could have kept him. But you know both kickers have an ax to grind and would love nothing more than to stick it to the team that dumped them. Worth also pointing out this is the first time the Saints are playing the Redskins at home since something really weird happened in 2009. You’ll likely remember this as the “Meacharound” game. Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham missed a 23 yard kick with 1:52 to play which would have almost assuredly ended the game. Instead, the Saints forced overtime and then won 33-30 on an 18 yard Garrett Hartley field goal. That would put the Saints at 12-0 on their way to a Super Bowl title.
3. Can Drew Brees keep his form?
You’ll have to pardon my French here, but Brees really got his ass kicked last week. Despite this, he followed up his record 7 touchdown pass performance game with a 118.2 QB rating. Brees is in peak form right now, playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play. That’s with no running game, poor play from his o-line, and what most would agree is the weakest supporting cast he’s ever played with in New Orleans. He’s out of sight right now. It’s kind of sad that he’s putting up these stats while his defense refuses to stop anyone. But if he does continue to play like this, the Saints will at least be fun to watch when they have the ball. At least and until this offensive line gets Drew killed. The good news is you’ll remember how much Brees torched the Giants… that’s because they have zero pass rush. They’re dead last in the NFL with 9 sacks this season. The Redskins are tied for 28th with 13 sacks on the season. Barely better. Tennessee’s pass rush, by comparison, is 7th. So Brees *should* have more time to dissect them.
4. Can the Saints beat a bad team?
I still can’t believe the Saints lost to the Bucs and Titans at home. If they could just take care of business their record would be so much better. The Redskins, by the way, are awful. They might be 3-5 but they’re 29th on offense and 21st on defense. They’re mediocre to bad in all phases. And I live in Virginia so I can tell you the local temperature on the fans right now. They are really down on their team. If the Saints get up early the fans will turn on them really quick. A fast start would really pay huge. On paper the Saints should win this game handily, even with the worst defense in the league save the Spags led Giants. We all know how that’s worked out, though.
5. Where art thou, C. J.?
Yeah, the Romeo and Juliette reference is particularly terrible. My apologies. But I, like you, long for Clifford (yes that’s his first name) to make a lasting mark on this offense. When Khiry Robinson sadly went down, I assumed the flood gates would open. Instead? 3 touches. What a joke. He’s a complete afterthought in this offense and the 4 year $16 million investment feels as stupid as most of this organization’s recent offseason moves. I would love to see him more involved. Could this be the week?
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