I don’t think it’s realistic to easily score 40+ points every week like the first 2 games. But they still played like a team who can win for the most part in weeks 3 and 4. They had control in both games but their own miscommunication and miscues beat them. Saints are 3-1 if Shaheed simply doesn’t fumble the punt for a TD vs Atlanta. Losing McCoy changed the way the OL protected in the Eagles game but they still had a chance to win at the very end of the game when they were down by just a FG. We had to force the ball downfield in deep throws by not having another intermediate weapon who can consistently pick up first downs at the sticks to preserve the clock.
Protection showed improvement when they were able to scheme the Week 4 OL unit for a full week in practice. But Saints beat themselves vs Atl with turnovers. These weren’t drastic losses in the scoreboard that showed they aren’t a winning team. To me it showed how much they’re dependent on 3 great players to make plays. It could be a faulty formula that affect the game outcomes when those players have to focus on multiple responsibilities on ST & offense. Or if 1 or 2 of them are taken out of the play in key moments and no one else steps up.