The Saints look ahead to tame the Lions
By E.J. Terry
The New Orleans Saints are preparing to take on the Detroit Lions at the Mercedes Benz Superdome this Sunday at 12:00 noon CST.
For the second consecutive year, the New Orleans Saints have played three of their first four games on the road. One significant difference is last year they were 0-4. But this season they managed to break even. Going 2-2 for the first quarter of the season.
Hopefully, the Saints can manage to tame the Lions and pull above .500 for the first time in three years. The task won’t be easy, but here’s a recipe that I believe will get the Saints to cook up a W against Detroit.
Pressure
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First, the Saints defense must apply pressure to Matthew Stafford. Bring the heat. After all, Matthew Stafford has been sacked 18 times this year. The Lions offensive line has allowed the third most sacks in the league so far this season.
The Saints D brings along 11 sacks as a team and 4 interceptions. Cam Jordan has impressed as always, but the will need Sheldon Rankins, (1 solo tackle) and the linebacker corps to step up.
With a possible season ending shoulder injury to weak side linebacker Alex Anzalone, reserve linebacker, Craig Robertson will be the next man up to make an impact.
Better flow on offense
Next, the Saints offense can function on a more comfortable level. Adrian Peterson has been traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Mark Ingram can now step in and will not be encumbered by having to share carries with another back that demands the ball as much as he does.
It’s simple, when the Saints want to run the ball, hand it off to Ingram. Get him hot early and replace him with talented rookie Alvin Kamara. A Darren Sproles type of player, just bigger in size.
Kamara demands attention from the opposing defense which gives Brees the opportunity to get the ball to him in short pass situations or to Thomas, Ginn Jr or Snead in open space.
If the Saints are able to run the ball effectively, convert on third downs at a high rate and control the clock. They should have no problem winning this game.
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The Saints lost the last two games of their series against the Lions by a total of nine points over the past two seasons. In fact, the Saints have not defeated the Lions since their 2012 playoff matchup, 45-28.
I believe this Saints team is much more talented and much more capable of beating this year’s Lions team.
Saints 31, Lions 17.
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