In a game where no one really expected the Saints to contend, with back up Luke McCown would be taking the snaps and not long time starter Drew Brees, the Saints made a game of it, all the way up to the end. The offense, which I have been hard on for becoming predictable, show some real creativity. Unfortunately it came on a day when the defense played more like it’s 2014 self.
The plan early on seemed to be to be a soft zone in order not to turn their backs to Cam Newton, who is a dangerous scrambler. The results were disastrous. Brandon Browner in particular had a rough game, not being able to run with the receivers running through his zone.
I understand the thinking behind it, but the plan should have been scrapped way earlier. Greg Olsen was able to find holes too easily in the zone. He finished the day with 8 catches for 138 yards and 2 TD’s.
The trend of an anemic and spotty pass rush continued, which in combination with the soft zone, led to a 315 yard, 2 TD day for Cam Newton. The defense also failed to produce a turnover after forcing 3 fumbles in their first two games. A play like that could have possibly swing things. On the flip side, a fumble after the catch by Ben Watson did just that.
Even still, the team was in the game until the last minutes of the game, when Luke McCown, who played well all game, under threw a pass to Brandin Cooks in the end-zone, resulting in a interception. While the team did get the ball back, they failed to even make a pass attempt into the end-zone, instead ending with an underneath pass to Mark Ingram, who was tackled well short of the end zone.
Ball game.
The team returns home to face the Cowboys, who lost to the Atlanta in embarrassing fashion.
With two teams in their division having 3-0 records, and already losing to Tampa, which currently gives them the tie-breaker should things come down to the wire, makes it very likely the team will miss the playoffs for the 2nd year in row.
What is unknown is how much time Payton will get. While he is the most successful coach in the franchises history, things can change quickly when you’re no longer winning.
My advice for those of you who got to see the Super Bowl winning season: be thankful you saw it. Many who followed the team for years never got to, and whatever the future holds for this current regime, it looks like a tough climb back into contention for this franchise.
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