The New Orleans Saints hosted the division foe Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. Derek Carr suited up against the Bucs even though he’s been dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder. The injury showed as the quarterback for the Saints threw for 127 yards and no touchdowns as New Orleans couldn’t get it done in a 26-9 game. That loss dropped the Black and Gold’s record to 2-2.
This Sunday, the Saints will play in Foxborough, Massachusetts to face the New England Patriots. In this series, the Patriots have history on their side as they have double the amount of wins New Orleans has against one another.
The weather shouldn’t be an issue as the temperature will be in the low to mid-60s and partly cloudy. New Orleans is listed as a one-point favorite on most sportsbooks with the over/under for total points scored set at 39.5.
MEDIOCRE OFFENSES
Neither one of these offenses move the needle when it comes to excitement.
New Orleans has averaged 15.5 points per game with an average yards gained per contest at 285.25. New England isn’t arguably worse as they score less than 14 points a game but gain an average of over 320 yards.
Saints fans have been unimpressed with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael as they’ve only been able to put up 30 or more points just twice in the 21 games since becoming the play-caller after Sean Payton distanced himself from the organization. New England decided to hire an actual offensive mind to call their plays in Bill O’Brien. That, however, hasn’t led to much success with the team’s lack of explosive weapons on the outside and Mac Jones being careless with the football.
WHO GETS TAKEN AWAY
Pats head coach Bill Belichick has been known for taking an opponent’s best playmakers out of the game and making them nonfactors. New England did lose their rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez but was able to trade for a former Patriot in Los Angeles Chargers corner J.C. Jackson.
The last time these two teams faced each other was back in 2021 when Alvin Kamara was the Saints’ best offensive playmaker and he was still able to have a good game and score a touchdown.
Now there are more skill players this New England defense will have to look out for whether it’s Kamara, Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, or Rashid Shaheed. Taysom Hill is another aspect of the run game that fans have been waiting to score a touchdown and be a bigger factor in games.
PRESSURE ON THE QB
The defensive line of the Saints was able to get plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks which led to stalled drives and turnovers created by the defense. These last two games have been different, as Jordan Love and Baker Mayfield were able to scramble and buy time for their receivers or tuck it and run themselves for positive gains.
Players like Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson need to step up and get in the face of Jones and force him into some mistakes. The quarterback of the Patriots has made 14 turnover-worthy throws so far this season with four of those getting intercepted. If they can do that and give Carr and this offense more opportunities to score, the Saints should leave Foxborough with a win.
SERIES RECORD: Patriots lead 10-5
Last 5:
NO 28 – NE 13
NE 36 – NO 20
NO 27 – NE 30
NE 17 – NO 38
NO 17 – NE 24
STAT LEADERS
Saints
Derek Carr: 80-124, 763 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Taysom Hill: 20 carries, 101 yards
Chris Olave: 23 catches, 306 yards
Carl Granderson: 2.5 sacks
Pete Werner: 34 tackles (18 solo)
Blake Grupe: 9-of-10 field goals, Long of 52
Patriots
Mac Jones: 93-146, 898 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT
Rhamondre Stevenson: 60 carries, 164 yards, 1 TD
Hunter Henry: 17 catches, 176 yards, 2 TD
Matthew Judon: 4 sacks
Kyle Dugger: 30 tackles (21 solo)
Chad Ryland: 4-of-7 field goals, Long of 51
NOTABLE INJURIES
Saints
Derek Carr, QB, Shoulder, Questionable
Erik McCoy, C, Knee, Probable
Bryan Bresee, DT, Illness, Probable
Juwan Johnson, TE, Calf, Out
Lonnie Johnson, DB, Hamstring, Out
Andrus Peat, LG, Concussion, Questionable
Ryan Ramczyk, RT, Foot, Probable
Paulson Adebo, CB, Hamstring, Questionable
Foster Moreau, TE, Ankle, Probable
Jordan Howden, S, Finger, Probable
Landon Young, OT, Hip, Out
Patriots
Matthew Judon, EDGE, Elbow, Out
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Shoulder, Out
Rhamondre Stevenson, HB, Thigh, Questionable
Christian Barmore, DT, Knee, Questionable
Cody Davis, DB, Knee, Questionable
Trey Flowers, DT, Foot, Questionable
Davon Godchaux, DT, Ankle, Questionable
Jonathan Jones, CB, Ankle, Questionable
Ty Montgomery, HB, Illness, Questionable
Riley Reiff, OT, Knee, Questionable
Cole Strange, OG, Knee, Questionable
Shaun Wade, CB, Shoulder, Questionable
This game between the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots will be played on Sunday, October 8th with the kickoff in Gillette Stadium being scheduled at noon.