There's not much time to sulk about Seattle as the Saints are right back at it 6 days later, playing the Panthers tonight. Both teams sit tied atop the NFC South at 9-3 and the winner will take control of the division for the time being. From a stakes standpoint this game doesn't get any bigger. The winner will also take control of the 2 seed with the loser pushed back to the 5 seed. Here's five things I'll be looking for:
1. Any hangover from the Seattle game?
It's not just the result, which was a beatdown of epic proportions. It's the short week, it's the west coast trip and it's the flight delay that got the Saints back to New Orleans a day later. All those things affect preparation even after a good performance. I think it's compounded by the bad loss. But perhaps the Saints will use this as fire and motivation to play better. Certainly coming back home helps, but the concern has to be that the Saints come out flat, again, and it starts to really do a number on their confidence. Hopefully they can show early that this Seahawks experience is already in the rear view window.
2. Have the Saints learned anything from 2012?
Carolina swept the Saints last year. In week two they lost 35-27 in Carolina giving up 219 yards rushing at 5.3 yards per carry and 12.7 yards per pass. In week 17 they lost 44-38 in New Orleans giving up 273 yards rushing at 7.0 yards per carry. That's the Steve Spagnuolo defense for you. Still, you see those numbers and that puts the fear of God in you. Based on how the Saints did against Marshawn Lynch this year, I feel good about the Saints holding Carolina under 200 yards rushing. Good God I hope so. All of Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert are banged up… so hoepfully Rob Ryan has a good plan for this offense. Obviously the Saints' defense is MUCH better than last year, but so is Carolina's. I just hope they know how to stop this running attack this time around.
3. Can the offense do ANYTHING?!?!
23 points against the 49ers was passable. 17 points against the Falcons was alarming. 7 points against Seattle was a disaster. That's three weeks in a row the offense hasn't played well, and now they are arguably facing the best defense they've played in the Panthers. They are 2nd in the NFL in total defense behind the Seahawks and they are only giving up 13.1 points per game, best in the NFL. Not exactly what you want to face off against when you're in a slump offensively. I'm concerned Brees and co. is really going to struggle to move the football. Hopefully they find a way to prove the stats wrong.
4. Will coming home make all the difference?
If the narrative is really going to be "the Saints are amazing at home but they can't play in cold weather on the road", I'd be fine with that ringing true this week. Maybe home cooking is what this team needs right now. I'm hoping an amped up Sunday night crowd will give them the juice and energy they need to step up their game. Saints fans are known as some of the very best in the NFL, and I'm counting on this to be a desperately necessary shot in the arm.
5. When Cam Newton missed on a throw, can the defense take advantage?
If Cam Newton has a weakness, it's technique. He's not the most accurate passer, especially if he's forced to evade pressure to his left and throw on the run. NFL teams know to blitz him to his right and force him to his left. He will miss a handful of passes a game. If the Saints get their hands on a ball they have to come up with the interception. They can't afford a drop like Corey White had in Seattle. Can they catch the ball and come up with the key play? The chances will be there.
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