In their 26-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the New Orleans Saints offense started 0/3 on third down attempts before finally converting one late in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Rams jumped out to a lead of 10-0, and later 17-7 as the Saints offense struggled to maintain momentum. The Saints lack of success on third down plays continued into the second half, and they finished the game 3-13 on third downs.
Here’s a breakdown of the Saints failed third down attempts in the first half.
New Orleans Saints Week 12 Film Analysis: Failed Third Down Attempts
Third and 10, 9:07 remaining in first quarter
On their first third down attempt of the game, the Saints lined up in a shotgun formation with running back Mark Ingram in the backfield, and two receivers split out on each side. Running back Alvin Kamara ran a crossing route as the outside receiver on the right. As he crossed the center of the field, he became wide open as two Rams defenders ran into each other. Quarterback Drew Brees appeared to be looking downfield at receivers Michael Thomas and Brandon Coleman, and noticed Kamara a split second too late.
Brees had been sitting pretty far back in the pocket despite having room to step up. As he threw, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn turned the corner and strip-sacked Brees on an outside rush. Ingram ran a route from the backfield, but he may have been better utilized as an extra blocker since Brees was quickly pressured, and sacked on the previous play as well. Kamara would have had enough space to gain at least 20 yards after the catch.
It was surprising that the Saints didn’t run once on their first drive, even if it was only four plays. Most expected New Orleans to emphasize their running game since the Rams entered this game ranked 28th against the run, while the Saints were top three in rushing yards per game, and yards per attempt. Maybe Saints head coach Sean Payton felt pressure to get downfield quickly, after the Rams scored a touchdown with ease on their opening drive.
Third and Three, 15:00 Remaining in Second Quarter
On their first drive following Kamara’s 74-yard touchdown run, New Orleans lined up with one tight end to the left, and three receivers on the right. Brees motioned Kamara outside of wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. just before the snap. Ginn ran a crossing route underneath Willie Snead and Thomas, and managed to get open despite being bumped by Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree.
Los Angeles sent just a four-man rush, but they forced Brees to throw off his back foot. Ginn was able to make the reception, but he had to stop and turn around to catch the errant pass. This allowed Ogletree to catch up to Ginn, who managed to sidestep the linebacker before being swallowed up by several Rams defenders, just short of the first down marker. Similar to their previous third down attempt, New Orleans had a receiver wide open, but failed to capitalize due to pressure on Brees.
Third and Two, 9:28 Remaining in Second Quarter
New Orleans came out with two receivers on each side, and Ingram as the lone back out of the shotgun. Brees motioned Snead from the left outside position to the slot inside Thomas before the snap. All four wide receivers were well-covered, although Thomas was briefly open on a short curl route in the seam. At that moment, Brees had moved onto his progressions on the right side, and threw to Ingram in the flat.
Ingram appeared to have plenty of space when Brees threw, but Ogletree did a great job of reading the quarterback’s eyes, and caught up to Ingram. Ogletree wrapped up the back before he could reach for the first down. The pressure wasn’t as severe on this play, but Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald had good penetration and prevented Brees from stepping up in the pocket, and finishing his reads.
Los Angeles managed to get significant pressure on Brees on five more third down attempts. The Saints picked up a first down on only one of them. It didn’t help that left tackle Terron Armstead exited in the third quarter with an injury. New Orleans has to quickly find a remedy for this issue, as their next opponent, the Carolina Panthers, rank fourth in the NFL with 32 sacks.
