Dan

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

The New Orleans Saints steamrolled the Chicago Bears in Week 7, with several players rewarded for their individual efforts by earning a spot on the Team of the Week from Pro Football Focus. Between right tackle Ryan Ramczyk erasing Bears superstar pass rusher Khalil Mack, linebacker Demario Davis’s sure-handed tackling ability, and safety Vonn Bell tying the NFL lead in fumbles recovered this season, it’s clear that the Saints have some star power of their own on both sides of the football.

Ramczyk was matched up against Mack on 19 of his 41 snaps in pass protection, and PFF charting credited him with winning every one of their battles against each other. Here’s what the analysts had to say about his performance:

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

Disaster nearly struck the New Orleans Saints late in their game against the Chicago Bears when starting cornerback Eli Apple slipped on a piece of the turf at Soldier Field, injuring his knee. He immediately limped to the Saints locker room flanked by team medical staff, and while Apple expressed optimism in the locker room after the game, he wouldn’t go into specifics on his condition.

John Hendrix of SB Nation first reported that the Saints initially believed Apple simply hyperextended his knee, escaping major injury. Nick Underhill of The Athletic also reported the same diagnosis.

However, it’s too soon to know for sure what Apple’s experiencing. He’ll be returning with his teammates to New Orleans late Sunday night, and should undergo further evaluation from Saints team doctors on Monday to get a better idea of his status. He has until Tuesday to begin practicing, so keep an eye on the injury report.

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today

By Frank Schwab | Yahoo Sports

Admit it: You thought the New Orleans Saints would fade without Drew Brees.

It’s fine. That’s the normal reaction when a team loses an all-time great quarterback. Those teams just hang on and hope for the best. And usually, they collapse.

It’s very rare to see a team go on a winning streak with a Hall of Fame quarterback out, but that’s what the Saints have done. And in the process, Saints coach Sean Payton has solidified his legacy and it’s pretty clear New Orleans is a Super Bowl contender. They’ve strengthened that position without Brees, which nobody expected.

This isn’t a situation in which a quarterback controversy has emerged. The Saints are 5-0 with Teddy Bridgewater starting, and he has done his job managing games and contributing to wins. Yet, everyone knows Brees will make the Saints better. That’s a little scary.

Full Story - Yahoo

By Mike Detillier / Sports Correspondent

In the 2019 season, we have seen the best coaching job done by New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and his staff since the 2006 season.

In Payton’s first season, the Saints went through a complete overhaul, going from 3-13 in 2005 to 10-6 in 2006. They made it to the NFC Championship Game versus the Chicago Bears in Payton’s first season with the Saints.

Now in 2019, the Saints have won four straight games with defense, special teams, and Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback since Brees went down to a thumb injury versus the Los Angeles Rams.

In two of the last three weeks, the Saints have won with “small-ball” football. You get nothing extra during the season for style points, but in the Payton era in New Orleans, he has mostly won with offense, Brees and a high powered offensive attack.

Now they are winning with a relentless flock to the ball defense, a terrific special teams unit and just enough offense with few turnovers. That will be the gameplan on Sunday in a game that looks similar to the 12-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys and the 13-6 victory last Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Full Story - houmatoday.com

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

The New Orleans Saints promoted tight end Dan Arnold to their active roster on Saturday in anticipation of their Week 7 kickoff with the Chicago Bears, as first reported by Mike Triplett of ESPN. In a corresponding move, they waived veteran tight end Brian Parker, who was signed earlier this week as a free agent.

Arnold’s promotion isn’t surprising given the status of starting tight end Jared Cook, who was preemptively ruled out against the Bears with an ankle injury. With Cook and running back Alvin Kamara (who is battling knee and ankle issues) on the sidelines, the Saints will be without two of their top three leaders in receptions this season.

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today