Saints Offense vs. Lions Defense Preview
The 1-2 New Orleans Saints play their second road game of the season this Sunday when they travel to face the 1-2 Detroit Lions. Offensively, the Saints had their best outing in last week's 37-30 loss to Green Bay after two uneven performances to start the year. Despite averaging over 29 points in their first three games, New Orleans ranks just 18th in total offense and has been far from the fearsome juggernaut we’ve come to expect from coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.
The Saints now take on a 28th ranked Lions defense that has given up an average of 409 yards and 30 points per game this season. Only one team has allowed more than the 80 first downs than the Lions have given up, and the team has done little to stop the opposition in the second half of all three contests.
Here's a closer look at how the New Orleans offense matches up against Detroit's defense.
THE PASSING GAME
Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass while protected by offensive guard Andrus Peat (75) and offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) in the first half against the Detroit Lions at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY
© Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Brees is coming off his most efficient game of the season last week against the Packers and has completed 70% of his passes for 760 yards with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception. The statistics aren't bad, but Brees has received criticism for his team's struggles in the passing game. Much of that criticism is warranted. He no longer appears to have the arm strength to beat defenses down the field, his legendary accuracy has been off-target at times, and he even seems to struggle with his confidence. Defenses have recognized this and stacked their coverages to clog the underneath routes.
Brees is not solely at fault. Even though he has been sacked only three times this year, he has frequently been hurried and pressured. Tackles Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead play exceptionally well on the outside, but guards Andrus Peat and Nick Easton have not given their quarterback a clean pocket inside. Peat will miss this game with an ankle injury suffered last week, meaning that 1st round pick Cesar Ruiz will get his first start.
Sep 27, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) catches a pass as Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) defends during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY
Another reason for the slow start of the passing game is the performance of the receivers. Running back Alvin Kamara has had a spectacular start, catching 27 passes for 285 yards and 3 scores. Wideouts Emmanuel Sanders, Tre'Quan Smith, and TE Jared Cook have a combined 27 receptions for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns. The New Orleans receivers have not gotten separation from coverage or given their quarterback a trusted target.
Sanders has gotten off to a slow start after being added this offseason to provide a bonafide number two threat at wide receiver, but showed signs of life with 4 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown last week. Jared Cook left last Sunday's game with a groin injury and is questionable for this week, meaning rookie TE Adam Trautman will play a bigger role in the passing game.
The offense will greatly benefit from a record-setting All-Pro WR Michael Thomas return, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Thomas will probably sit this game out, so Sanders, Smith, and Deonte Harris must make the plays to make defenses pay for clamping their coverage packages underneath throws.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) after a catch during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium Sept. 27, 2020. © Michael Chow via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The Lions rank 13th against the pass so far this season, allowing an average of 237 yards per game through the air. That’s a massive improvement over a unit that ranked dead last against the pass in 2019. Detroit cannot pressure opposing quarterbacks, registering only 3 sacks and 10 pressures through three games. Most of their pressure comes from edge rushers Jamie Collins, Trey Flowers, and Romeo Okwara, who have 1 sack each.
The Lions have allowed opposing passers to complete 60% of their throws and have gotten better play from their secondary, who have intercepted 3 passes and broken up 14 others. Rookie Jeff Okudah, the 3rd overall draft pick this spring, shows the potential to be a top-tier cornerback. He has underrated support at the position from second-year CB Amani Oruwariye. The Lions also have an active and productive safety trio in Duron Harmon, Tracy Walker, and Will Harris.
THE RUNNING GAME
Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Saints offensive line blocks for Kamara; Credit: USA Today Sports
The 23rd ranked Saints running attack has averaged 105 yards per game, but the statistics aren't a sign of how effective they can be on the ground. New Orleans has averaged 4.3 yards per attempt but has abandoned its running game in each of the last two games despite having success in the first half of both contests.
Alvin Kamara, who has 153 rushing yards and 3 scores, and RB Latavius Murray (120 yards) are one of the league's better tandems at the position.
Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) and cornerback Quandre Diggs (28) tackle New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY
Detroit's run defense has allowed 172 yards per game on the ground and 5.7 yards per attempt, ranking 30th in the NFL. The Lions have gotten no tackles for loss from their interior linemen and just one from their linebackers, who have consistently been caught out of position.
New Orleans should have the advantage upfront if they commit to running the ball in this game. Ruiz will probably replace the injured Peat in the lineup, but the Saints have been able to bully opponents with their offensive line and explosive running backs over the previous three seasons.
Oct 15, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) blocks on a kick attempt in the first half against the Detroit Lions at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans has always been highly productive with a short and intermediate passing attack. Defenses have been able to sit on those short routes against the Saints without the threat of getting beat deep so far this season. It’s now up to Brees and his receivers to make those defenses pay for such a strategy, which will open up their underneath routes, but they'll likely have to do it without Michael Thomas and Jared Cook.
The Saints look like they’ll have the advantage up front against the Detroit pass rush, which would give their receivers extra time to break open and allow Brees to pick apart coverages with his precision passing.
