There’s no simple recreation within the NFL. Moreover, there’s no simple recreation for the Seattle Seahawks. What number of instances has the workforce confronted an opponent thought of weaker and stumbled? We misplaced at dwelling to NOLA with a backup QB (Teddy Bridgewater) just a few years in the past. So, there’s no level enjoyable, as a win is essential.
The New Orleans Saints have been defeated by the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers (with a backup QB) within the first two weeks. Beating them is necessary as a result of each win can rely towards playoff tiebreakers.
It’s preview time. Let’s go!
Defending the run recreation and Alvin Kamara can be a problem
The Saints had 107 dashing yards towards the Cardinals and 121 towards the 49ers (a workforce that primarily shut down the Seahawks’ run recreation in Week 1).
One space the Seahawks’ protection can exploit is beginning guard Cesar Ruiz, who obtained run-block rankings of 32.3 and 35.7 within the dashing recreation in Weeks 1 and a pair of, respectively.
To date, Kamara has caught eight passes for 33 yards. Nevertheless, we all know he’s a menace within the air on designed performs and checkdowns. The Seahawks gave up a whole lot of yards to Christian McCaffrey in Week 1, so he’s a degree of concern.
On the bottom, he continues to be a menace to defenses. On this play, he reveals his intelligence by threatening the within hole, manipulating the cornerback, and creating the hole for his run that resulted in a landing.
Juwan Johnson must be guarded
The tight finish, who obtained curiosity from the Seahawks and Broncos, however determined to re-sign with the Saints, has 13 receptions (team-leading), 125 yards (team-leading), and a TD.
It’s apparent that the Saints’ offense will look to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for many of their performs. Nevertheless, watching these two weeks, it’s clear what number of performs have been designed for Johnson, particularly in fast-paced conditions or when the Saints wished to extend their tempo. Screens, shielded releases, and formations with him remoted to attempt to create one-on-ones. Kellen Moore has been inventive with this.
One other alternative for the line of defense to transform pressures into sacks
The Saints have 4 first-round picks on its offensive line: Cesar Ruiz (RG), Trevor Penning (LG) injured and moved to protect this yr*, Taliese Fuaga (RT), and rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. (LT). The numbers don’t justify the funding thus far.
Fuaga has conceded 10 pressures, two sacks, and two hits, whereas Banks has conceded eight pressures and one sack, putting each within the prime 10 amongst defensive ends who’ve conceded probably the most pressures. It’s price noting that every conceded six of these pressures towards the 49ers final week.
Derick Corridor has 5 pressures, DeMarcus Lawrence has solely three, and Boye Mafe has seven. Within the Share of “Wins” vs. Blocking on Non-Penalty Go Rush Snaps metric, Mafe is fifteenth amongst edge guards with 24.4. The others don’t even make the highest 50.
I confess that watching the tape, I assumed the numbers can be higher. Maybe the truth that they’re being efficient totally on third downs is extra eye-catching. A workforce that applies a whole lot of strain is on monitor to transform these pressures into sacks sooner or later, however for now, it’s an space the place we are able to enhance. Broderick Jones is the Steelers OT who has surrendered probably the most sacks, and not one of the EDGEs have been in a position to capitalize (the sack Jones gave up was towards Byron Murphy). The workforce has one other alternative to use strain to the sting of the road.
Inside, the Seahawks have been more practical with Leonard Williams and the large leap Byron Murphy has made. It will likely be a great matchup towards Erik McCoy.
The Seahawks’ offensive line will face one other robust matchup
In opposition to the Steelers, we noticed inconsistency within the Seahawks’ offensive line, from good performs to sacks and TFLs. The Steelers used a whole lot of stunts, particularly attacking the A gaps, and I believe the Saints additionally adjusted to do one thing related.
The Saints have been one of many groups that makes use of Cowl 0 probably the most (they’re within the prime 3). This kind of protection, in brief, means everybody marking individually and people with no goal go after the QB. The offensive line wants to provide Sam Darnold as little time as potential to search out Cooper Kupp and JSN.
Carl Granderson, whom the Saints have utilized in completely different alignments, is second amongst edge rushers in run stops (seven behind solely Byron Younger of the Rams) and leads the league in sacks together with Harold Landry and Myles Garrett.
Very bodily towards the run. Right here, he absorbs the puller and the cornerback with physicality and likewise tackles the operating again.
The Saints even have Bryan Bresee and veteran Cameron Jordan as pass-rushing choices.
Demario Davis has the most effective PFF grade amongst cornerbacks with a 92.4 ranking defending the run recreation, rating seventh within the league in run stops (8). Patrick Queen managed to search out his approach into the backfield at instances final week, and Davis might do much more harm.
Spencer Rattler might shock
He’s most likely not the Saints’ QB of the longer term, however Rattler has the potential to do greater than most backups within the league. He has 424 passing yards, 43 dashing yards, 3 TDs, and no INTs; he can’t be missed.
He has an excellent perspective and tenacity. On lots of his throws, he’s proven the flexibility to carry on to the ball till the window seems, even when it ends in a giant hit. And he can nonetheless achieve yards together with his legs.
Moreover, he has the robust arm to make all kinds of throws downfield, whether or not he’s searching for Chris Olave in the midst of the sector or exploiting Rashid’s verticality deep.
It is a recreation to win with authority, adjusting the offensive focus factors, and maybe changing these pressures into extra sacks. This can give us confidence for the approaching weeks, remembering that after that, we’ve a brief week earlier than the sport towards the Cardinals.
0 Feedback
