This is why the panic is not needed (1 Viewer)

[Domeination]

The one complaint O have is the under-utilization of Murray. Onsides kicks will get fixed.

 

[Super]

But don't you understand. If they don't win, they'll lose. And then what will we do?

 

[NeverGiveUP2]

Excellent post. This is the new Saints that Sean and Mickey began building 3 years ago. Less dependent on the GOAT which means taking fewer chances because you have a defense you can rely on

 

[Bespoke]

I overall agree with the premise of the thread, team still has a lot of room to put together a 'complete' game and they are 10-2 despite not playing their best at times.

However within those stats does lie an issue. The Defense having to take 76 snaps, while the Saints Offense only having 45 plays while also losing time of possession 35:37 to 24:23 is a problem. You can't just keep having your Defense be on the field for 70 snaps and not expect to run into issues with player fatigue, and injuries (you saw multiple players cramping up on Defense). They had 70 Defensive snaps, and lost time of possession battle vs. Carolina also. Really what's going on is the Offense is not sustaining drives, and not converting in the red zone or taking full advantage of turnovers and short fields when they have an opportunity to... and that is something that has to change going into December.

Even though they were smiling Post-game you can tell Payton and Brees want to get this sorted out, because you are going to tire out your Defense eventually if you keep leaning on them this hard and not supporting them with complimentary play.

 

[bclemms]

I overall agree with the premise of the thread, team still has a lot of room to put together a 'complete' game and they are 10-2 despite not playing their best at times.

However within those stats does lie an issue. The Defense having to take 76 snaps, while the Saints Offense only having 45 plays while also losing time of possession 35:37 to 24:23 is a problem. You can't just keep having your Defense be on the field for 70 snaps and not expect to run into issues with player fatigue, and injuries (you saw multiple players cramping up on Defense). They had 70 Defensive snaps, and lost time of possession battle vs. Carolina also. Really what's going on is the Offense is not sustaining drives, and not converting in the red zone or taking full advantage of turnovers and short fields when they have an opportunity to... and that is something that has to change going into December.

Even though they were smiling Post-game you can tell Payton and Brees want to get this sorted out, because you are going to tire out your Defense eventually if you keep leaning on them this hard and not supporting them with complimentary play.

Losing two possessions without an offensive snap (onside kicks) skews those play numbers and TOP.

 

[NewOrleansFan]

The Falcons ran 76 offensive plays. Here are the stats.
9 sacks
15 tackles for a loss
2 interceptions
2 forced fumbles
4 yards per play
1 blocked punt
4.57 yards per play
14 QB hits

When a defense plays like that, you quite literally don't have to score on offense. Even Payton realized it and was running the ball on 3rd down because he knew FG's would win it.

On offense
Saints only had 45 plays
We averaged 5.85 yards per play
0 sacks
0 turnovers
Only tackled for a loss 2 times for a total of -2 yards
1 QB hit

Win percentage with stats like that in the NFL is 100%. It's extremely efficient football.

We did all of that despite missing 3 pro bowl players, 2 starting LBs and our only FB on the road on Thursday Night against our biggest rival.

Fix the drops- Take those drops away last night and we score 40 easily. Cooks and Ginn need to get their shirt together. Thomas and Kamara will likely never drop a pass in the same game again in their careers.

The onside kicks will get fixed, I'm positive about that. The problem was recognized and the scheme will get corrected. Von Bell can't get stuck between going for the ball and making the block. He has to make the block in that situation every time. With a slow rolling onside kick you have to move the line up and we didn't. I know Payton recognized it because he described it in his post game presser. It'll get fixed.

The penalties- We have to fix what we can fix. The refs have made it clear they are only going to call penalties on the Saints. Clean up the dead ball and presnap penalties as well as pass interference penalties because that is what we can control. The rest have really been shady penalties and I'm afraid it's going to continue.

Atlanta ran 85 offensive plays but the Saints defense was on the field for 93 snaps due to penalties if you are tracking snap counts. Vonn Bell, Eli Apple, and Marcus Williams each played 93 snaps (100%) on defense. Vonn Bell also played 11 snaps on special team.