New Orleans Saints Review

Before I begin that “hardcore” analysis for Sunday’s big game – I have something a little off-the-wall to share with you.  Last night I actually had a dream that the Saints and Giants were playing in the Super Bowl (I guess two NFC teams can do that in dreams!).  The game went to overtime and the Saints won, 6-3.  Must have been thinking about that Browns vs. Bills game last week.  Probably the highlight of the dream was that the Saints sent Martin Gramatica out to hold on a field goal attempt and he botched it.  Strange stuff!

Anyway, on to Sunday’s clash of two of the best teams in the NFC.  The New York Giants have been there before, sitting atop the NFC East and doing so in dominant fashion.  The Saints weren’t necessarily supposed to be 4-0, but that doesn’t matter.  Both of these teams are for real and this is the premier match-up of week 6 in the NFL.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning is going to make his Superdome debut on Sunday.  Amazing that one of NOLA’s finest has never played in the dome.  But he brings his 5-0 Giants to town on a roll, fresh off of a 44-7 beat-down of the hapless Oakland Raiders.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the defensively-gifted G-MEN rank #1 in yards allowed per game (210.6) and are #3 in points allowed (14.2).  But it may surprise you to know that they rank just ahead of the Saints offense with 417.4 yards per game, #2 in the NFL.  They are also scoring 30.2 points per game, good for a #4 ranking.

Despite a foot injury, Manning is having a brilliant season so far, with 10 TDs and 2 INTs, and on-pace for a career high in passing yards.  He’s backed-up by a running game that is classic Giants football, #4 in the league at 160.4 yards per game.

This is by far the most balanced attack the revamped Saints defense will have faced so far in 2009.  Certainly the best quarterback (Stafford, Kolb, Edwards and Sanchez don’t exactly strike fear into my heart!).  The biggest question I have is whether or not the Saints defense will be able to induce a mistake or two out of Manning.  They’ve been great at generating turnovers, but Manning is much more savvy than the other quarterbacks they have faced.

The Giants also have one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the game, but Drew Brees and the Saints’ offensive line certainly have shown the ability to beat pressure this year.  Also on the good side for the Saints, while the Giants have the best pass-defense in the league, they are only 15th against the run.  That bodes well, considering Sean Payton’s willingness to stick with the running game so far this year.

This game is setting up to be quite a chess match.  Usually, games between the elite teams come down to who makes the big play at the crucial time, and who makes the key mistake.  If the Saints find a way to win, people are going to talk about them as the best team in the NFC.  If the Giants pull it out, it’ll just cement what people already thought of them.

Keys to the Game
1. The Great Unknown – It’s safe to say that neither the Saints or Giants have faced an offense as good as their own this season.  So both defenses will have something to prove (yes, even the Giants).  Both offenses have had great balance so far.  Which defense will step it up to that next level and make a big play?

2. Smash Mouth – On offense, the Saints should have a healthy Mike Bell back in the lineup.  Good thing.  They’ll need both Bell and Pierre Thomas to establish a running game and slow down the Giants’ pass rush.  Defensively, the Saints’ front seven will have to handle New York’s own bruising back, Brandon Jacobs.  Ahmad Bradshaw offers a great change of pace as well.

3. Get Reggie Involved – This is the type of game where Reggie Bush can be a game-breaker.  The Giants will be rushing Drew Brees non-stop.  Get Bush out in some space, get him the ball and he could be a big factor.

4. Bring Down Eli – How do you combat a hot quarterback?  Get in his face and at the very least throw off his timing.  Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams has been great bringing pressure and he’ll need to call a great game to confuse Eli Manning.

5. Just be Drew - Even against great defenses, you know Drew Brees can make that special play that will give the Saints an edge.  Against the Giants, Sean Payton must be patient but, when the time is right, unleash #9.

Prediction: Saints 20 – Giants 17

Rating:

This entry was posted on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 9:05 am and is filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.