Week 2 has not been kind to the Saints over the past decade, but they’re hoping that can change against the Carolina Panthers. Since 2013, they are just 2-8 in Week 2 games and haven’t won one since 2018. Results over the past four years have been especially puzzling, as the Saints have failed to carry any momentum forward from Week 1 wins in each of these seasons.
The Saints will now head on a familiar Week 2 road trip against the Carolina Panthers. The teams’ last Week 2 meeting in 2021 ended in a blowout Panthers victory. In similar circumstances, the 2023 Saints are coming off a promising opening game win and looking to continue building early season momentum. Looking ahead to Monday’s primetime showdown, here are the biggest keys for the Saints to overcome their week two woes and get off to a rare 2-0 start.
Three Keys for the Saints to Overcome their Week 2 Woes and Beat the Panthers
Offensive Line Improvement
Week 1 certainly gave the Saints reasons for optimism offensively. The performance of the offensive line was not one of them. With the exception of Ryan Ramczyk at right tackle, it was a poor showing across the board for the remaining four. Against a tough Titans front, the Saints line looked generally overmatched. The Panthers will bring minimal, if any drop-off.
Derrick Brown and Brian Burns headline a pass rush that consistently got after Desmond Ridder and the Falcons last week. Trevor Penning struggled mightily handling basic speed rushes from Arden Key, and will now match up against Burns, who comes with an even deeper bag of tricks from his rush moves. A few bad plays from Penning may well be the difference in this game as they almost were against the Titans. Brown himself is no slouch either on the interior. If Week 1 was any indication, Brown may be headed to the position’s elite in year four. Improvements from Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz will be vital in minimizing Brown’s disruption up the middle.
My lord. Derrick Brown. pic.twitter.com/F3lsBGhDQL
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 11, 2023
The Saints were able to make some second-half adjustments in last week’s game, which seemingly took far too long. If Penning is once again struggling early, there has to be greater urgency in addressing this in-game. Against a defense where the Saints offense should generally have the advantage, they can not let one or two matchups ruin their attack.
Attacking a Depleted Cornerback Group
While the line’s performance last week was disappointing, the play of the receiver trio was anything but. Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Michael Thomas all had their moments and looked in sync with Carr. The Titans secondary was a glaring weakness in an otherwise stout defense, and the Saints may be looking at a similar opportunity this week.
With Jaycee Horn heading to injured reserve, the Saints passing attack should again have a significant upper hand. Against the likes of C.J. Henderson and Donte Jackson, there is no reason to not aggressively air it out and continue expanding the passing game. If Olave, Shaheed, and Thomas aim to prove their standing as receivers, these are the matchups they have to win.
In a game where the Saints may again struggle on the ground, dominating via the air may be their best bet. Finding the right balance will be important, of course, but the Saints shouldn’t bash their heads against the wall trying to ‘establish the run’. Sometimes talent simply wins, and the Saints have a clear talent mismatch against the Panthers corners. Leaning on the aerial attack now can also further help Carr and the receivers find their groove, which can only be a positive as the season progresses.
Keeping Bryce Young Contained
As successful as Dennis Allen’s defenses have generally been, the mobile quarterback has been a continuous pain point for his units. Bryce Young is no Lamar Jackson, but still has the ability to make things happen with his legs. In Week 1, the defense successfully kept Ryan Tannehill firmly in the pocket and under pressure, leading to multiple bad throws (and subsequent turnovers).
Although Young’s talent is obvious, he will still likely be prone to his fair share of rookie mistakes. The Falcons were able to capitalize on a few of these, forcing him into poor throws and picking off two passes. Against a generally weak receiving corps, the Saints secondary should once again be in a strong position to thrive. However, if Young is able to break contain and use his mobility, the Saints may struggle to get the Panthers off the field.
Bryce Young throws his first interception pic.twitter.com/9VRWcNYwWd
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) September 10, 2023
The Panthers relied on a heavy dose of Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard last week to ease Young’s burden. Stopping the run early and getting off to a fast start offensively will help tremendously here. Make the Panthers offense one-dimensional, and put Young in uncomfortable situations in the pocket. Do this, and the Saints should be in a prime position defensively.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
