Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I break down the latest Saints game. In this edition we look at the New Orleans Saints loss to the New England Patriots.
1st Down: Same Old Defense
If you told me three weeks ago that the Saints would allow over 1,000 yards through two games, I’d be shocked. During their preseason games, it looked like this defense had finally turned the corner. They may have done just that, but turned another corner to get right back to where they were last season.
Last Monday should’ve been an omen of what was to come with Tom Brady coming to town. It’s frustrating to see a defense that showed so much promise during preseason not duplicate those results in the regular season.
2nd Down: Offense Leaves Points on the Board
When you think of the Saints in the last decade, you think of a high-powered offense that can put up about 30 points per game and get it done through the air. The early results this season is showing otherwise, going 2-of-3 in the redzone against the Patriots. It was an improvement from the performance against the Vikings, but having six of their 20 points coming from the foot of Wil Lutz isn’t exactly how you win games.
If the Saints want to bounce back, the offense will need to bounce back in a big way and not miss out on touchdowns. Field goals do not win games, bottom line.
3rd Down: AD Not All Day Anymore
When the Saints signed Adrian Peterson, the expectations were for the offense to move towards more of a balanced offense. The veteran running back who has been nicknamed “All Day” isn’t living up to that moniker through two games.
However, you could put that on the fact that the ballgame wound getting out of hand after one quarter and the Saints hand was forced to throw it a lot more often. Can we see the run game have a resurgence as the season progresses? If the defense can’t keep up with the other teams in the NFL, it’ll be tough.
4th Down: Should Payton and Brees Era End?
After over a decade being attached at the hip, perhaps it is time to put an end to the Payton and Brees era. The writing is on the wall right now and it’s saying that this era of Saints football needs to end sooner rather than later.
However, the Saints need to have that plan in place to make sure that they aren’t missing a beat. Look at what’s happened at previous organizations that have had these kind of drastic changes and tell me how those franchises wound up doing. It’s going to be a long season and if there’s not a plan in place for the future, expect to 7-9 go down to 5-11 (or worse).
-Clint Domingue