New Orleans Saints: A side-by-side comparison of NFC’s best two teams
Special Teams
Often the unsung heroes of the game, the special teams unit for one of these squads have been performing consistently so far this season.
The team with this advantage in practically every aspect is the Saints. Whether its punting, returning or kicking, the Saints have under the radar stars who are dependable.
Beginning with the most glamorous position of special teams, the returner for the Saints, rookie Deonte Harris, has been explosive in his first few games.
Although he has made some rookie errors like unnecessary fair catches and muffed catches, commentators constantly make note that Payton and the whole team is high on him. While the Niners may have a slight edge in average yards per punt return, the Saints are one of only two teams this season to have a punt returned for a score.
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Thomas Morstead, an underappreciated consistency, was named the NFC special teams player of the month for September. Morstead is as reliable as they come at the punter position. He may not have the biggest leg with the highest yards per punt, but he’s precise. Out of his 32 punts this season, 19 have landed inside the 20.
To be fair, Mitch Wishnowsky was awarded his own player of the week for special teams last week. He has punted seven fewer times than Morstead and has only six fewer inside the 20. The odds that he could get six of those seven inside the 20, though, is unlikely. Wishnowsky is a respected player and both of these punters have the chance to be pro-bowl selections at their current rate, but Wishnowsky is only a rookie and Morstead’s experience alone makes him the more secure option.
Finally, when it comes to kicking, New Orleans has one of the most reliable legs in the entire NFL. Lutz is the highest-paid kicker in the league with a five-year contract worth $20.25 million, including $9.2 million in guarantees. He’s proven to be worth it. While Niners’ Robbie Gould missed seven field goals in the first seven games, Lutz has only missed four all season.
Gould is consistent up close, but out of he’s missed two field goals with 40 yards and has yet to make a single field goal beyond 50 yards so far this season.
Lutz has only missed field goals beyond 40 yards and even made his career-long of 58 to win the game in week one versus Houston. Lutz is the highest-paid leg in the NFL for a reason and is a clear advantage for New Orleans in the special team’s department.