Saints-Patriots Score Predictions | Week 5
Unlikely to be a barn-burner in Foxboro, the New Orleans Saints will visit the New England Patriots on Sunday for a game in which both teams want to get their offenses on track. While the Saints rank tied at No. 25 in the league scoring just 15.5 points per game, the Patriots are right behind with 13.8 on average.
Both teams have been disappointing relative to the expectations initially placed around them. New Orleans so much so that calls for changes to gameday responsibilities have already started to roll in. Which team will actually find their rhythm this week? The Saints News Network gives its thoughts on which will at least come out on top this weekend.
Kyle T. Mosley
Unless former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady steps on the field at Gillette Stadium, there is no reason to pick the Patriots over the Saints, right? Wrong. Each team is in disarray. You have a sense that New Orleans needs another downfall, to start standing upright with all of its offensive talent.
Losing to an AFC team is less harmful than falling to another NFC squad. There will be no magical Jameis Winston to Marquez Callaway back-of-the-endzone touchdowns this weekend at Foxboro. I am not trying to be 50 Cent or Kanye West by throwing shade at the Saints; hopefully, they will prove me wrong.
Saints 17, Patriots 23
Bob Rose
Both offenses dwell near the bottom of the NFL in nearly every category, so do not expect a high scoring game. New England's defense will be without two top playmakers in pass rusher Matthew Judon and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. However, head coach Bill Belichick is a master at designing defenses to expose flaws in an opposing offense. In the case of the Saints, those are many.
The New Orleans defense looks to have a major advantage against a reeling Patriots offense, but their pass rush has been non-existent the last two weeks. Look for some early blitzes to generate extra pressure while the secondary challenges New England's wideouts with aggressive man coverage. On paper, the winner would seem to be whichever defense makes more plays. The reality is that it will probably be whichever offense is less offensive and can show at least some sign of life.
Saints 20, Patriots 12
John Hendrix
So, first to double digits wins? Obviously, both of these offenses are struggling right now, and New England feels like they are a bit more desperate to win this game instead of New Orleans. However, the Saints certainly feel like they can turn the corner this week and put it all together.
Gillette Stadium is a tough enough place to play, and the key for the Saints here is to put drives together early and put points on the board to make Patriots passer Mac Jones beat you. I think two straight weeks of humble pie will produce a different team this week.
Saints 23, Patriots 13
Ross Jackson
Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints place kicker Blake Grupe (19) makes a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Saints 17, Patriots 14
Come on down Blake Grupe. The New Orleans Saints kicker will end up being the difference in this game. Improvements on the Saints' offense can be made without necessarily lighting up the scoreboard. While that would be fun and an immediate measure of improvement to enjoy, this is still a Belichick defense and things will not be easy for New Orleans.
The Saints' saving grace may end up being how much the Patriots struggle to put drives together. With 71% of New England's offensive drives ending in punts or turnovers, quarterback Derek Carr and his offense should have plenty of chances to sustain drives, establish the run with star back Alvin Kamara and find a bit of a rhythm that generates a promising foundation to take with them to Houston in Week 6. Also, the defense is looking for a bit of a bounce back that should be attainable vs. Jones who has tossed the most turnover-worthy throws so far this season. It may not be a pretty win, but that would not mean it is not a show of growth.
