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The Saints cannot continue to count on strong defensive performance to win games

By Justin Dunbar

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 29: Latavius Murray #28 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates alongside Michael Thomas #13 and Erik McCoy #78 during the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 29, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 29: Latavius Murray #28 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates alongside Michael Thomas #13 and Erik McCoy #78 during the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 29, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

How Do Saints Stack Up Against Rest of NFC?

Heading into December, the Saints currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

However, that is far from a certainty to remain the case. The Packers are one-game back of them, but also hold the tiebreaker since they beat them in Week 3.

With the Eagles, Lions, Panthers, and Bears on the schedule still, only their Week 16 affair with the Titans appears to be a game they have a legitimate chance of losing. This would mean that New Orleans can only afford one loss to stay in control of the No. 1 seed.

As for how these two teams matchup, it’s not close with Hill in the lineup, and with Brees, it’s a toss-up. The Saints have more roster depth, but Green Bay’s overall explosiveness makes them very difficult to beat.

The same goes for the Seahawks, as Russell Wilson’s connection with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett can be unstoppable at times.

The Rams, Cardinals, and Bucs also are also in the mix, and are superior teams to a Hill-led Saints team, in my opinion. Meanwhile, don’t sleep on the 49ers or Vikings, who are each 5-6 teams that have played very difficult schedules.

San Francisco, in particular, has multiple games against the NFC East remaining, and now are much healthier with their receiving corps and secondary.

With Brees healthy, the Saints are probably the best overall team in the NFC. Without him, though, they’re not worthy of that discussion, simply because the quarterback disadvantage is severe.

They have little margin of error as they attempt to get the No. 1 seed, and with the Chiefs on the schedule, they really can’t afford to lose to any of the Falcons, Eagles, Vikings, or Panthers.

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