NFL
By: Greg Rector
The New Orleans Saints defense did exactly what I wrote about them needing to do that was lacking in the 2022 NFL season. They caused turnovers against the Tennessee Titans. Here are my 3 keys to beating the Carolina Panthers in the next Monday Night Football game.
Saints Offense
The New Orleans Saints were limited in their effectiveness, especially in the red zone against the Titans. That’s an area that needs to be improved upon and Derek Carr must get better with his new receivers. Certainly gaining 305 passing yards was a nice effort from Carr, however, he must execute much better when in the opponent’s red zone. The three field goals by former Notre Dame kicker Blake Grupe came in very handy as the Saints won by a single point.
Jamaal Williams was brought to the New Orleans Saints to solidify the ground game and the Saints need to keep feeding him the ball on the ground as he had 128 carries for just 45 yards against the Titans’ very tough run defense. The Panthers were just losers to the ground game from the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints must make the Carolina Panthers pay the price.
As for the passing game it again lies upon Derek Carr to take shots with Chris Olave downfield and in the end zone. 8 catches for 112 yards was a nice effort by Olave in the first week of the NFL season. Michael Thomas and tight end Juwan Johnson must also be targeted in the end zone.
Saints Defense
Cameron Jordan was his typical disruptive menacing self as he has played that way his entire career. He will be delighted to face the rookie QB for the Panthers Bryce Young. The Saints’ secondary should also enjoy another game like they played against the Titans and should force Bryce Young into at least one interception.
With a healthy unit going into this game against the Panthers this group of New Orleans Saints defenders can’t forget that Bryce Young is already used to playing in primetime games as he did at the University of Alabama. If you let him stay close he has the ability to burn you as we have all witnessed him do.
The Saints’ defense needs to stop Miles Sanders as the Panthers’ new running back was effective for Carolina as well as Chuba Hubbard. The pair ran the ball 27 times and combined for 132 yards against the Atlanta Falcons.
As for the Panthers’ receivers, they were certainly limited against the Falcons and I expect this group of nasty fellows in the Saints linebacking corps and their secondary to treat them much like the Falcons did.
Keep Causing Turnovers!!
The New Orleans Saints were 30th in creating turnovers in the 2022 NFL season and that was so costly to their cause last season. The three interceptions were overdue against the Titans and the Saints simply are so much more effective when they give their offense the ball.
Dennis Allen needs to get the New Orleans Saints to create those turnovers and must see that happen all season long or he’s out of a job.
I have the New Orleans Saints winning this game by a score of 28 to 20 as they play their second game without Alvin Kamara as he sits out with his three-game suspension. Jaamal Williams must carry the load with rookie Kendre Miller fighting a hamstring injury. I for one have been looking forward to seeing Miller play in an NFL game and once he comes back along with getting Kamara back to speed this New Orleans Saints team is going to be awfully tough to beat in the NFC South.
