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New Orleans Saints look to build off dominant performance vs Bucs

By Michael Byrd

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball as Taylor Stallworth #76 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 30: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball as Taylor Stallworth #76 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Sunday’s outing in Florida was a vast improvement from last week for the New Orleans Saints.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints seemed to have cleaned up their blocking mistakes and were back to playing at a high level in their 34-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

Right off the bat we saw an immediate commitment to establish the run game with Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Kamara carried the ball 13 times for 75 yards and Murray chipped in with 10 carries for 27 yards.

This was a big improvement from last weeks dismal run total of 11 carries for the two backs combined.

Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees found his groove again completing 28-of-35 attempts for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Surprisingly the Saints leader in receptions was someone other than Michael Thomas. Alvin Kamara had a team-high ten reception for 47 yards.

Michael Thomas did get involved and continued his historic season with an NFL record 90 catches in his first 10 Thomas. He hauled in eight reception for 114 yards and a touchdown in Week 11. This was Thomas’ fourth-straight game with 100-plus receiving yards.

The chemistry Jared Cook and Drew Brees developed during training camp looks like it’s finally starting manifest on to the playing field.

Brees was able to connect with his 6-foot-5 target on a deep corner fade that was perfectly placed by Brees. The catch may have been even more extraordinary catch though. Cook finished the game with two reception for 33 yards and touchdown with a 16.5 yard average .

Looking ahead, the Saints need to continue to build off this win by establishing their run game early. They should also continue to find other creative ways to get receivers other than Thomas involved in the pass game.

They could also look for the defense to build off its four interception game against the Buccaneers and bring that same energy and tenacity back to the Superdome to try and neutralize Christian McCaffrey and the Carolina Panthers.

Christian McCaffrey is off to a MVP-like start to the season with a league-high 1059 yards rushing on 199 attempts through 10 games .

The Saints run defense is currently No. 3 in the league only giving up 85.3 yards per game.

Next. Saints: 3 studs, 2 duds in dominant victory over Bucs. dark

With McCaffrey averaging just a little over 105.9 yards per game, look for the Saints defense to be challenged early and often in the run game.

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