The Saints will try to post a winning record for the first time this season, 9 weeks into the year. Better late than never, right? And the Saints are overwhelming favorites against a weak Tennessee Titans team. This is a trap game, a must win, and it will be nerve wracking as there’s reason to be invested again. The Saints are battling for a wild card playoff spot at the moment. Here’s five things I’m looking for:
1. Who starts at linebacker?
It looks like the linebackers will be Kasim Edebali in place of Kikaha (out injured), David Hawthorne who is back from injury and replacing Ellerbe and Stephone Anthony. So needless to say, I’m worried. If anything happens to those guys we’re looking at Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Michael Mauti getting reps. And if I’m the Titans I’m exposing those guys in coverage every chance I get, especially Edebali and Hawthorne. The defense gave up 49 points last week and while they’re facing a very weak offense today, they can certainly get exposed. How they fare against the run is of big concern, too.
2. Can the Saints stop Delanie Walker?
Tight end Delanie Walker is arguably the best player on the Titans. The Saints have been horrible at covering tight ends this year. And that’s when they’ve had reasonably healthy linebackers. The linebackers are not healthy at all now. It will be interesting to see what the Saints run at Walker between Brandon Browner, Kenny Vaccaro and Hawthorne/Anthony. Slowing him down is key to stopping this offense.
3. Can the defense bounce back from a horrible game last week?
As bad as the defense was, they’re facing the 31st overall offense in the NFL this week and the 31st in points scored. If there’s anyone they can slow down, it’s the Titans. Unfortunately Marcus Mariota is back healthy so the Titans will benefit from a boost at quarterback play. The run defense has to do a good job despite the missing linebackers and set up obvious passing downs, then it’s key Browner doesn’t make the same mistakes that have been plaguing him all year. Let’s see if Browner can go through this game with one penalty or less.
4. Will Drew Brees remain hot?
The Titans are bad but they’ve kept themselves in games with their pass defense. They’re 3rd in the NFL giving up less than 200 passing yards per game. I can confidently say Brees won’t be coming anywhere close to duplicating what he did to the Giants. The Titans have a good pass rush and a good secondary so it will be tough to pass on them. Establishing the run to set up play action will be critical in this one.
5. Who do the Saints use to pace the running game?
The Titans run defense isn’t as good (19th) so the Saints may lean more on Ingram in this game. It will be interesting to see if the Saints use a two back rotation of Spiller/Ingram or try to incorporate Marcus Murphy and Tim Hightower. A heavy dose of Ingram is one thing but they’ll need to make sure they can dictate and have success early doing it. If the Saints start slow running the ball and the defense gives up scores – this could shape up to be a really bad matchup for the Saints.
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