Game Balls: Saints MVP's vs. Bears
Running Back - Latavius Murray:
Latavius Murray’s role with the Saints through the first six weeks of the season was undefined. The 5-year veteran halfback signed a 4 year, 14.4 million dollar deal with New Orleans back in March and had only one touchdown in his account with the black and gold. That touchdown being the 30-yard gallop on Monday Night Football in week one vs Houston.
Prior to Sunday afternoon’s matchup vs Chicago Murray had yet to see over 8 carries in any game in 2019, which included 3 consecutive games of reach at least 15 yards rushing.
With All-Pro Alvin Kamara missing Sunday’s game because of a knee/ankle injury, Murray pounced on an opportunity to show what skill set he could offer Sean Payton’s offense. Murray pounded the rock 27 times, gaining nearly 120 yards on the ground and finding pay dirt twice.
Following the big day for the 2015 NFL Pro Bowler, did Murray show enough to justify receiving more carries, and potentially sharing the backfield with Kamara as Mark Ingram II did for two seasons? The simple answer, yes.
Stat Line: 27 Rush/ 119 Yards/ 2 TDs and 5 Rec/ 31 Yards
Oct 20, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo, USA TODAY Sports
Safety - Vonn Bell:
The 2016 2 round pick has continued to impress in 2019. On the Saints’ current win streak, Bell has recorded 8 or more total tackles in 3 of 5 including a team high (8) on Sunday. The Ohio State product is on pace for his most tackles in a season through his young career.
While the transition to the NFL was difficult for Bell, mostly for his coverage skills, he has become a sure tackler and an artist to force and recover fumbles.
Bell, who leads the league in fumble recoveries (4), forced yet another turnover vs the Bears with a strip and recovery in the 1 quarter on second year wide-out Anthony Miller. The box safety has become an integral part of the rejuvenated Saints defense that as one of the best in the league.
The Saints defense continues to impress and while the defensive line, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore are vital pieces the success of the defense over the course of the season, Vonn Bell may be the biggest bright spot on that side of the ball.
Stat Line: 8 Total Tackles, 1 Pass Defended, 1 QB Hit, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery
Oct 20, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receiver - Michael Thomas:
The more and more this kid plays, the more and more his Twitter handle rings true, you can’t guard Mike (@cantguardmike). Thomas set the record for most receptions over the first 3 years of an NFL career last season and leads the league in receptions through 7 seven weeks in 2019 (62).
Thomas received a 100 million dollar extension over the offseason that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in the history of the NFL, and he is playing like a man who wants to earn every penny.
His 9 catches on Sunday put him on pace for 144 receptions on the season which would put him a single reception above the current single season record of 143 receptions by former Colt Marvin Harrison back in 2002. The former Ohio State buckeye wide-out sits at 62 receptions for 763 yards & 3 Touchdowns through 7 weeks. This would put him on pace for 144 receptions for 1,744 yards & 8 Touchdowns.
Thomas proved his value once again in Chicago being a go to for Teddy Bridgewater, coming up with big catches and clearing space for other receivers by attracting attention. While the touchdown numbers may not be exactly where many think they should be, Thomas has still proved week in and week out, you can’t guard Mike.
Stat Line: 9 Receptions/131 Yards/14.6 Yards per Catch
Oct 20, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Head Coach - Sean Payton:
Yes, coach gets a game ball. After Drew Brees went down in week two, the thought from most was “If Teddy can win just half of the games and go 3-3 the Saints will be in good shape”. Well, Teddy advanced to 5-0 as the starter of the Saints following the 36-25 victory in Chicago, and while the incredible story of Teddy Bridgewater is exactly a story that NFL fans love, lets give praise to Sean Payton.
Going into this week Sean Payton was without a Hall of Fame quarterback for the fifth straight week, the 2017 offensive Rookie of the Year at running back, a Pro-Bowl tight end, and his number 3 wide-out on the road against a very good Chicago defense.
Coach Payton found a way, there were gutsy play calls (see Zach Line Option Play), trust put into guys who rarely find the field, and an offense tailor made for Teddy Bridgewater.
While the defense played lights out, the offense had been in question over the past few weeks and Sean answered the call, with one of the best, if not the best team performance of 2019.
Stat Line: 424 yards of Offense/151 Rushing Yards/ Held Chicago's Offense to 252 total yards
Follow Brendan "The Butler" Boylan on Twitter - @BtBoylan
