Saints Nation: 5 Things to Look For in Saints @ Packers

I’ve said all week that this game would be a blow out and as game day is here I’ve seen little to convince me otherwise. The Saints’ defense matches up about as poorly against the Packers’ offense as any defense in the league. I know that may sound obvious because of the Saints being ranked 32nd in the league, but it’s more about poor depth at cornerback and a poor pass rush more specifically that won’t function well against a team that passes almost exclusively out of a spread out formation. I hope I’m wrong, trust me, but I really think it’s going to take a miracle today. Here are five things to look for:

1. How Do the Saints’ Backup Corners Fare When Repeatedly Targeted?

Last year when these two teams faced each other, the story of the Packers’ offense vs. the Saints’ defense was to find where Patrick Robinson was on the field and target him unmercifully. I’m sure there will be a little bit of that, but even more targeting Corey White and Johnny Patrick. The Packers are incredibly deep at receiver with Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones and Donald Driver. The Saints a grossly overmatched in the WR vs. CB department. The fact that the Saints have no pass rush makes it even worse. We just have to hope for some dropped balls, Aaron Rodgers missing throws occassionally and some luck. I say this a lot of times when telling other bloggers how to stop Drew Brees, but I think it applies to the Saints this week: any opportunity to get off the field MUST be taken advantage of. If the defense gets a clean look at an interception, they have to catch the ball. If they don’t, it’ll likely cost the team 7 points later in the drive. Make no mistake, Patrick Robinson and Corey White especially will be tested often. This could lead to severe embarrassment even moreso than what you’ve already seen this season.

2. Can the Saints Slow Down Clay Matthews Jr.?

Clay Matthews Jr. comes into this game with 6 sacks in just 3 games! To make matters even worse, a far inferior pass rusher in Justin Houston just had his way with Zach Strief last week. Now Strief has to deal with Matthews, who is arguably the game’s best. So he’s obviously not going to be able to do it alone. Chips, double teams, roll outs, you name it. The Saints need to pull out all the tricks and stops to slow him down. Make another player on that defense beat you.

3. Will the Saints Commit to the Run?

The only real weakness with this Packers defense is they are just decent against the run, not elite. The Saints can run the football, we have seen it. In fact, in this nightmare beginning of this season where all areas have largely been poor, the Saints’ running game is the only thing that’s been steady and consistent. It’s the only facet of the team that’s held up as everything else has crumbled around it. The Saints average 4.96 yards per carry this season. They just haven’t done enough of it so far this year. The Packers are #1 in the league against the pass and they have a deadly pass rush, so I’d love to see the Saints run the ball 35 times + in this game. Even if they are down a couple scores. Just keep running. If the offense gets to a point where they are passing every play and the Packers see it coming, it will be lights out. Brees will get hit A LOT and I’d expect some turnovers at that point.

4. Can the Saints Take Advantage of the Packers’ Leaky Pass Protection?

On offense the Packers don’t run the ball almost at all. Even when they do, it’s the corpse of Cedric Benson taking the handoffs. You’d think teams are so afraid of Aaron Rodgers that even Benson could find lanes to run through. But he’s averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. So to me Martez Wilson and Junior Galette should be in for the majority of this game. Let Benson run right at them if the Packers decide to do that. I don’t think they have the discipline. I think the Packers will continue to throw, and with the Packers’ subpar pass blocking you have to hope Galette and Wilson can disrupt Rodgers a bit. It’s the only chance the Saints have of slowing them down.

5. Will the Real Drew Please Stand Up?

The Saints have no chance in this game unless Brees catches total fire. If he’s going to pick a game to get hot, this has to be the one. The Packers will score in bunches in this game, and the only way to beat them is to keep pace by scoring frequently as well and hope for a mistake on the other side of the ball. Drew Brees’ poor performance is in large part due to horrible blocking and even worse receiver play. But he’s had his fare share of mistakes trying to do too much. Here’s to Brees returning to superstar form.