The New Orleans Saints displayed significant defensive weaknesses during their recent 51-27 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately for them, they must quickly regroup, facing off against the Denver Broncos this Thursday night under the guidance of head coach Sean Payton, who previously led the Saints to success.
Adding to their challenges, the Saints’ offense will be led by rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who is stepping in for the injured Derek Carr (oblique) for the second consecutive game. Rattler showed promise early in his debut against Tampa Bay but ultimately struggled, missing open receivers and throwing two interceptions. Compounding this situation, he will be without his top two targets, as Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) have both been ruled out, with Shaheed possibly facing season-ending knee surgery. To adapt, the Saints will likely shift their focus towards a more robust running game, and utilize their tight ends more effectively.
Improving Defensive Play and Game Planning
In their loss to Tampa Bay, the Saints’ defense surrendered a staggering 594 yards, the second-highest total in franchise history. A significant portion of these yards resulted from missed tackles, which have plagued the team throughout the season.
Saints coach Dennis Allen, who previously excelled as the team’s defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching role in 2021, emphasized the need for improvement. “We’ve got to figure out ways to play better,” Allen stated. With Sean Payton returning as head coach of the Broncos, the stakes for this matchup are particularly high.
The Saints have recorded an alarming total of 38 missed tackles across their last three games, with 16 occurring in the recent defeat to the Buccaneers. This underscores a critical need to prioritize tackling in practice. Allen noted, “Tackling has been an issue… But the execution before the tackle has been a big issue.”
Often, defenders find themselves isolated, attempting to tackle opposing players in open space. Miscommunication has also been a problem, as evidenced by lapses in positioning during crucial moments, such as a critical play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. A streamlined game plan might be beneficial, focusing on fundamental execution.
Allen remarked, “If you’re not executing at a high level, then certainly I’ve got to look at what we’re doing and make sure I’m coaching it right and not being too complicated.” He acknowledged that they need to reinforce the basics of tackling and overall defensive technique.
As Payton returns to the Superdome for the first time since his tenure with the Saints, Allen is aware of the challenges ahead. “He does a really good job of identifying areas of weakness that he wants to try to attack,” Allen noted, hinting at the potential difficulties for the Saints.
Leaning on the Running Game and Alvin Kamara
With Olave and Shaheed unavailable, the Saints’ receiving corps will rely on less experienced backups, which puts additional pressure on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. The best approach may be to lean heavily on running back Alvin Kamara, who currently ranks seventh in the NFL with 428 rushing yards on 104 carries. Despite the close score in last week’s game, Kamara only managed 13 carries and is averaging just 17 per game.
Until the Saints can return their starting receivers, Kamara should be positioned as the focal point of the offense. Notably, the Broncos’ rushing defense has struggled this season, ranking 14th in the league by allowing an average of 114.2 yards per game. This presents an opportunity for the Saints to capitalize on their opponent’s defensive weaknesses, especially considering the Broncos currently rank fourth overall defensively and fifth against the pass.
The Saints’ offensive line is still dealing with injuries, with starting right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and center Erik McCoy (groin) both out. Although guard Lucas Patrick (chest) is questionable, his potential return could bolster the line. This is, surprisingly, the healthiest the offensive line has been in recent weeks, suggesting a renewed focus on the running game could be beneficial.
Taysom Hill, who plays a versatile role as a running back/tight end/Wildcat quarterback, is also a consideration for the game, despite concerns over a lung and rib injury. “It’s pain and functionality,” Allen commented. “I think he’s probably doubtful for this week, but I’m hopeful for the following week.” If Hill cannot participate, the Saints may consider incorporating Rattler into designed running plays, as he demonstrated his ability to gain yards on the ground last week.
Targeting Tight Ends for Shorter Routes
Given the absence of key receivers, Rattler could find success targeting tight ends Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson on shorter routes. Both have shown they can catch and run effectively, providing Rattler with reliable options.
Moreau had two receptions for 54 yards, including a 41-yard catch, while Johnson recorded three catches for 48 yards with a long reception of 27 yards. Utilizing these tight ends more frequently could help ease the pressure on Rattler as he navigates his second start. With Olave’s and Shaheed’s recoveries uncertain, this strategy may provide a necessary lifeline for the Saints’ offense as they prepare for the upcoming game against Denver.
