In week one, the New Orleans Saints were able to escape Atlanta with a win after being down by 16 points in the fourth quarter. It was an amazing comeback but New Orleans definitely does not want to be in that position again. How do they avoid falling behind against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday?
Stop The Run
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1569021922096160768
Cordarrelle Patterson had one of the best games of his career against the Saints. Patterson rushed for 120 yards on 22 carries while also picking up a rushing touchdown. The Falcons offensive line was able to move the Saints defensive line at will. The Saints cannot allow this to happen against the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Bucs running back, Leonard Fournette had a great game in week one against the Dallas Cowboys. Fournette had 127 rushing yards on 21 carries. The Bucs will definitely try to recreate that success against the Saints. New Orleans cannot allow that happen. If the run game is working at that same rate, it will make Tampa Bay’s offense damn near impossible to stop.
Protect Jameis
https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1569032843036180481
The Falcons were able to sack Jameis Winston four times in Sunday’s game. In the first three quarters, New Orleans’ pass protection look lost. It wasn’t just the offensive line but also the additional help was missing assignments.
On this play Mark Ingram whiffs on the block and then fumbles the ball
https://twitter.com/PFN365/status/1569040182288220161
When the running backs and/or tight ends stay in to assist with extra rushers, they have to do a better job. When Winston had good protection against the Falcons, he was phenomenal. If the Saints keep the pocket clean for Winston, they will have a great chance to win this game.
Pressure Brady without the blitz
https://twitter.com/proftblculture/status/1472758809856720899
The Saints have had great success against the Bucs during the Tom Brady era. One of the reasons Brady has struggled against New Orleans, has been the Saints ability to create pressure with four down lineman. New Orleans did not get any sacks against Atlanta. Now Marcus Mariota is a totally different quarterback than Brady. Brady won’t be able to escape pressure in the way Mariota did. So If Cam Jordan and company are winning their individual battles against the Bucs beat up offensive line, Brady may struggle again.
Let Jameis Cook
https://twitter.com/DP_NFL/status/1569054915909001217
Jameis Winston was great against the Atlanta Falcons and was able to lead an amazing comeback by throwing two touchdowns and getting the Saints in position for a game winning field goal in the fourth quarter. Winston has grown a lot as a player since his infamous 2019 season where he threw 30 interceptions. This game really showed that, as he did not get frustrated with the lack of protection at times. He didn’t force any bad passes trying to win the game by himself.
Winston went 23/34 for 269 yards while throwing two touchdowns and had no turnovers. Winston can be trusted and the Saints should let him loose earlier in the game against Tampa Bay.
New Orleans found something in that fourth quarter against the Falcons. Sunday’s game against the Bucs will show us if that was just a classic Atlanta meltdown or signs of greatness to come for the Saints.
