New Orleans Saints 2009: Week 3 Game Preview – Saints @ Bills
By Keith Null
The last meeting between these two teams (October 2, 2005) was played by the post Katrina Saints, long before the likes of Payton, Brees, or Bush. The league considered it a home game for New Orleans who played in their adopted stadium of the Alamodome.
On the leg of ex-saint kicker John Carney (4-5 on filed goals), the Saints prevailed beating the Bills 19-7, thus securing one of their lone wins of the 2005 season.
On a side note the Saints would end up winning only one more game that season finishing a dismal 3-13. This of course led to the firing of then head coach Jim Haslet, and the release of loathed quarterback Aaron Brooks. Sean Payton was hired to revamp the struggling franchise. Payton started by releasing half the team, brought in Drew Brees, and of course drafted Reggie Bush. The rest is history.
Next Meeting: Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium
Series Leader: The Bills lead the all time series between the two teams, 8-4, although the Saints have won the last two meetings.
Offensive Keys To Success:
These were two very different teams when they last met. Buffalo’s D is not the best against the pass so New Orleans will need to crank up Brees and that high powered passing game. I don’t see Buffalo being able to stop much of what Brees and this receiving core can give. Brees will have to get rid of the ball quickly to thwart the improved Bills pass rush, they did spend their top pick on rush specialist Aaron Maybin. If they can jump out two a two score lead all they have to is eat the clock up with the ground game and secure the win. You know the Saints can put up some points.
Defensive Keys To Success:
The Saints re-stocked secondary will get a real test containing the Bills new receiving weapon of Terrell Owens. Owens will have to be played tough, its proven when he is, he crumbles. New Orleans has to dial up the blitz to frustrate young Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. If the Saints can supply enough pressure he will surely be rushed into poor throws – resulting in turnovers. Most likely MarshawnLynch will be suspended for the first four games. The D line needs to win the war on the ground and should handle backups Jackson and Rhodes with ease.
Game Stats From Last Meeting: Stats
Prediction: If the defense can stop Owens and pressure Edwards into bad throws, they can get a win over a pretty good team, 27-17.
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