The New Orleans Saints have dropped their last two games, and now enter Week 5 as a 2-2 team. While the losses were disappointing, both games were close and winnable. That’s definitely it’s own issue, but it also means New Orleans is close to being a really good football team. For the Saints to close the gap between what they are and what they can be, they need to clean up a few important things.
With a trip to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs next on the schedule, New Orleans needs to clean these things up fast. 3. Saints must improve their pass rush This was an issue for New Orleans last season, and that’s why the team signed Chase Young in free agency. Unfortunately, the defence hasn’t been able to consistently generate a pass rush.
They’ve been able to dial up pressure with designed blitz, but the defensive line hasn’t been in the backfield enough on four-man rushes. Slot corner Alontae Taylor actually leads the team in sacks with 3.5, then Carl Granderson and Bryan Bresee are next with three. Demario Davis and Payton Turner have one a piece, and Young has half a sack. Beyond the sack totals, the defence isn’t consistently affecting quarterbacks with pressure, and that needs to change moving forward. 2. Saints must fix their run defence This was also an issue last season, and it has returned in the last two weeks.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans was dominated on the ground, giving up 172 yards at 6.9 yards a carry. Against the Falcons, the Saints allowed just 88 yards, but at 5.9 yards a carry. Demario Davis was out against Atlanta, and his replacement, Willie Gay, left the game early, so that didn’t really help against the run game.
But health aside, there is clearly room for improvement for the defence in this department. 1. Saints must stop turning the ball over A very real argument can be made that New Orleans lost to the Falcons because of turnovers. The defence only allowed 12 points in the game, all field goals. The special teams, however, gave you a touchdown on a muffed punt, and the offence gave up a pick six.
That’s 14 direct points from turnovers. The Saints defence is great at forcing turnovers, with eight through four games. However, the team’s turnover differential is only +3, because New Orleans has turned the ball over five times. If the Saints can do a better job of protecting the football, they’d be able to really capitalise off the turnovers the defence is forcing.
