December 19, 2021
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TODAY’S COLUMN:
Scott discusses the New Orleans Saints
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Talented players make a difference. We all know this fact, but sometimes it is highlighted to where we just have to acknowledge that fact.
The five game losing streak from the Saints was ugly to watch. Week after week, the injury report told the story of the game before the game was even played. It does not take a rocket scientist to notice that the losing streak coincided with injuries to the best pair of tackles in the league and one of the top running backs. Armstead and Kamara returned this week and the Saints scored 30 points, albeit against a bad defense.
Still, the fact remains that the last four weeks there were some plays Sean Payton could not call because he knew the left tackle would not hold up in protection or could not reach the block. Other times, he likely called a play and the running back was tackled in open space, but against the Jets, Kamara made the safety miss in the hole and scored on a 19 yard run.
While stating the obvious, and once again acknowledging that Sean Payton does not need my advice, I want to focus on the last touchdown. Everyone knew the Saints were going to run the ball. The Saints top offensive weapon, Kamara, went in motion to the right. The play was a sweep with Hill, the second best offensive weapon, to the left. Hill scored untouched.
I know Taysom is not 100%. I also know, there are times to line up and just hand the ball off. Nevertheless, I also have watched the Saints get torched by Philadelphia the last two years despite having a top three run defense. The Eagles have accomplished this feat with quarterback runs, deception, and motion. I hope to see more this in the last four games.
Taysom Hill is not a consistently accurate passer and that is not going to suddenly change. Taysom is a great runner, a tough runner, a great competitor, and a good enough passer.
Alvin Kamara draws attention from the defense no matter what he does. It amazes me that the Saints still try to run screens with him because a screen counts on the defense dropping in coverage or pressuring the quarterback and the player receiving the screen “sneaking” into space. Kamara has a huge bullseye on his jersey and cannot sneak anywhere on the field.
I do not think Hill and Kamara alone are enough to threaten the Tampa Bay defense that is extremely stingy against the run. This weekend is a terrible matchup for the Saints offensively. In addition, I have no idea when some of the other injured Saints will return or if they will return. Which all begs the question, can the Saints get to 9-8 and make playoffs?
Minnesota is 6-7 and should lose to the Rams and Packers. Philadelphia and Washington are 6-7. They please each other twice. Assuming they split, Washington should get their second loss against Dallas who already manhandled Washington once.
Philadelphia closes with Dallas and that could be the second loss for them, though my concern in that game would be if Dallas has anything to play for in the last week.
Atlanta should be taken care of in San Francisco and at Buffalo, but the Saints will have to beat them in the last game anyway. Therefore, we just need Atlanta to lose one of those games.
Considering the injuries, a 9-8 record and getting in the playoffs would be an accomplishment for this team. Any Saints fan that is stuck in this Super Bowl or bust mode needs a history lesson on what it means to be a Saints fan. I do not go all the way back to the beginning, but I am old enough to understand and appreciate any playoff appearance. And I would be ecstatic for the other team to simply beat the Saints without it being in overtime, the worst officiating call ever, or a terrible blunder to give the game away. Just get in with nothing to lose and see what happens. For me, that would be an amazing Christmas present.
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