Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
After last week’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, it seemed like the Saints regressed instead of capitalizing on the win and possibly turning the tide on a season many people have left for dead. Brees at certain points in the game looked terrified pre-snap after being sacked five times and fumbling twice. This offensive line throughout the season has looked completely awful, but this had to have been their worst performance. If the Saints expect to get wins, the line is the first thing that needs to be looked at, specifically Zach Strief.
2nd Down: Defensive Performance in 1st Half promising
The defense, at least in the first half performed well despite allowing 300 yards against a team that averaged 295 yards a game heading into the week 5 matchup. The Eagles game could’ve been over at halftime is not for a pair of interceptions in the redzone to prevent the Eagles from putting up six. But at the end of the day, the Saints defense continued to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and other issues kept forcing the Saints offense to make up for the lack of an overall defensive effort.
3rd Down: Apple Turnovers
The Saints were completely dominated by the Eagles defense, giving up four turnovers, three of which were fumbles. Brees was part of three of the four, fumbling one and throwing a pick that was almost taken to the house for a score. With the lack of defensive effort, especially in the second half, it led to the Eagles taking the momentum and getting those crucial points off of turnovers.
4th Down: Big Trouble Brewing In the Big Easy
According to rumor mills, the Dolphins are among teams looking into having Saints head coach Sean Payton be a part of their respective organization. Now, Payton has two years left on his contract with the Saints. However, with the poor season the Saints are having and possibly will continue to have the New Orleans Saints may say goodbye to the coach that led them to their first Super Bowl. The NFL is a what have you done for me lately business and lately the coaching staff of the Saints hasn’t done anything to merit retaining their jobs at the end of the season, if not before the season is over.