There’s a new face for the New Orleans Saints.
Things are cooking up in the NFC. The New Orleans Saints are starting to look like one of the most complete teams. The Saints are finding ways to win without the offense performing in top shape.
A win is a win. Sometimes it’s not a blowout. It’s not about the fancy offensive plays. It can be the special teams performing in an elite manner, the defense showing its grit, or just plainly the chance that something aligned perfectly to work in the team’s favor. Long story short, a win is a win, and the Saints are doing plenty of it.
However, the defense is pulling the strings. In the last three games, the team has been solid. One player in particular that is playing exceptionally is Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore executed his cornerback role matchup for the past two weeks. Against the Buccaneers, Lattimore was given Mike Evans to defend. Evans, who is one of the Bucs leading receivers, did not have a catch. Lattimore completely shut him out of the game. He was given D.J. Chark against the Jaguars and ended the game with an interception.
Defensive ends appear lethal. Marcus Davenport, Trey Hendrickson, and Cameron Jordan are defensive ends that are giving quarterbacks a run for their money. The three have a total of 11 sacks. Jordan is showing he is not going anywhere. The veteran Saint ended the game with two sacks on Gardner Minshew. Jordan is now leading his teammates with five sacks for the year.
Going Forward
Here are key concerns as the Saints venture on:
- Injuries– Injuries have mostly plagued the Saints offense with the exception of Trey Hendrickson who’s harboring a neck injury. The Saints don’t have many on the injury report, but they are already performing without quarterback Drew Brees. Alvin Kamara was on the injury report before going against the Jaguars. Although he played, he wasn’t as effective as usual. Having an injured Kamara puts the work on Latavius Murray, who hasn’t been too effective. Without Kamara, the run game is a serious risk. With the offense struggling to find a rhythm, keeping them healthy is a fair concern. The team has two weeks before a bye week, and two to three games more before Brees gets back.
- Wide Receivers– The most reliable receiver so far is Michael Thomas. Tre’Quan Smith is out with an injury. Keith Kirkwood has been placed on injured reserve. Although Ted Ginn has been performing, the Saints need a wide receiver who can keep up with Thomas’s momentum.
- Quarterback play– Teddy Bridgewater is a well-respected, talented quarterback. It’s true, the Saints not losing a game while he’s the starting quarterback, makes him more appealing. But the quarterback has been a hit or miss in effectiveness. One advantage is Bridgewater’s play doesn’t cost the team. He hasn’t racked up interceptions nor is he costing the Saints negative yards.
Defense is starting to be the new face of the Saints since Brees has been injured and rightfully so. With this new, fresh look, there’s still concern regarding how long it will last. It’s not a surprise, the Saints lack of defensive consistency in the past has the team’s doom. One thing is for sure, the Saints are counting on defense to be its healthy shining glory until Brees returns.
