Welcome everyone to another edition of #4Downs!
1st Down: Offensive Miscues cost Saints
One thing that killed the Saints was momentum. Late in the first half, the Saints went down the field and got within one yard of making it a 21-10 game heading into the locker room. But the Saints got in their own way on the last play of the first half with an ineligible player downfield. This combined with a Cooks touchdown being reversed due to him being down at the one-yard line left points on the board. Points that could have swung the momentum toward the side of the Saints.
2nd Down: Slow Start another big reason for loss
In the first two drives for the New Orleans Saints, they only got off three plays on offense. After forcing a three and out on the Lions opening drive and not capitalizing on the opportunity to strike first was another example of why the Saints lost. You’re putting the defense out there without giving them a chance to breathe, and it leads to quick drives down the field and points on the board for the other team.
3rd Down: Home Field Advantage non-existent?
The Saints are 3-4 at home in 2015 with one more home game on the schedule. They were 3-5 in the Superdome in 2014. The Dome has apparently lost that home-field advantage that the Saints used to thrive under. The Saints have come close in the last two games in the Superdome, but close doesn’t count for anything in the NFL. You either win or lose, and the Saints have been losing, and lost games at home.
4th Down: What Happens Next?
After a tough loss to Detroit, the Saints will be hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars in what could be a big game as far as it pertains to the Saints future. With Drew Brees getting an MRI on his foot later this week, he could not be playing in this matchup. So who do the Saints play? Will they give the rookie QB a shot or put former LSU QB Matt Flynn under center? But the bigger story is what happens if the Saints lose to the Jags. Does Sean Payton get shown the door? Who will take over the team in 2016? Will the Saints make a big coaching move or basically rearrange chairs on the Titanic? Only time will tell.