A year after setting the NFL record for receptions in a single season, 2020 has proved to be a much more challenging season for Michael Thomas. Injuries, a suspension, and team game-planning have meant Thomas is having by far the worst statistical season of his career. However, during the win over the Atlanta Falcons, the star wide receiver proved one thing. Michael Thomas is back for the New Orleans Saints.
Michael Thomas Is Back for the New Orleans Saints
A Challenging Season
Michael Thomas is the best receiving threat Drew Brees has ever had in New Orleans. He is a dynamic receiver and most polished route runner for what Sean Payton asks him to do. Thomas has led the league in receptions for back-to-back years and broken countless NFL records since being drafted by the Saints in 2016.
However, Thomas’ chances of securing the most receptions in the league for the third time were made very slim when he suffered a high ankle sprain suffered in the Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thomas missed three games with the ankle injury.
After returning to practice following his first injury, Thomas acted out, getting into an altercation with Saints teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Sean Payton suspended Thomas from the team’s Week 5 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. In addition, the wide receiver claimed he wasn’t 100% healthy in the first place.
Finally, Thomas was expected to return to the lineup after the Saints Week 6 bye. But Thomas strained his hamstring in practice, forcing him to sit out another two games.
Michael Thomas’ Return to the Lineup
Expectations for Michael Thomas’ return to the Saints lineup were high. The receiver is key to New Orleans’ success moving forward. After all, the franchise handed Thomas a five year, $100 million contract extension just last year, an extension that came into effect for the 2020 season.
Despite all of the media attention on Thomas heading into his return to the team against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, he wasn’t a major part of New Orleans dominating win. Brees spread the ball around, and the defense was outstanding. Thomas had modest returns of five catches for 51 yards on six targets. In addition, the following week the receiver was even quieter. He had just two catches and 27 yards on seven targets in a win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Furthermore, there was an assumption Thomas’ production would take more of a hit when starting quarterback Brees suffered 12 broken ribs in that win against San Francisco. However, Thomas looked more like his old self without Brees throwing him passes.
Back to His Best
New Orleans vs. Atlanta is a heated rivalry within the NFC South. With Taysom Hill starting at quarterback, Atlanta prepared for a heavy dose of the run game and keyed in on Saints running back Alvin Kamara in the passing game.
Atlanta did not account for the connection Michael Thomas and Hill have clearly developed in practice over the years that Hill has been a backup quarterback. Thomas looked like his old self., performing the routes he is asked to run in Sean Payton’s offense to perfection. As a result, Hill could have looked his number one receiver’s way all game, and he was likely to be open each time.
Thomas was targeted 12 times in the 24 – 9 victory. He caught nine of those passes for 104 yards. In this ball control offense, the Saints rely on moving the ball efficiently. Thomas is the best in the league at creating separation with enough yardage for a first down. He had one bad drop on the day, a collector’s item for the receiver who caught an NFL record 85% of his targets over his record-breaking 2019 campaign.
The Saints travel to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Following another week of practice, New Orleans fans should be excited at the prospect of seeing Michael Thomas back to his best. New Orleans need their superstar wide receiver healthy for the playoffs. But they need to win games now if they are to be in the running for a first-round bye.
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