The New Orleans Saints are not a comeback team
By Kristen Wong
Don’t call it a comeback, because it isn’t one.
The New Orleans Saints have lost their last three games in the most excruciating way possible: falling behind early, making a late push in the fourth quarter and finally, minutes before the game is over, accepting defeat.
It’s a cyclical narrative that everybody is sick of at this point, and it encompasses the Saints’ season in one word: frustrating.
Sure, some games the Saints make it closer than others. But the result, ever anticlimactic, is always the same.
In Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints were two points shy of tying the game but failed to complete a late two-point conversion. (Siemian’s target was Kenny Stills, and the ball was never going to get there.)
In Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans ,the Saints also lost by two points. On that two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter, a certain tight end got flagged for a false start and caused the Saints to lose crucial yardage.
The Saints’ largest loss differential was in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and that game was over by halftime.
Siemian mustered enough offense to score 22 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to climb out of the pathetic, wallowing pit the Saints had dug themselves in.
If anyone’s looking for a grave digger, they could pick anyone on the Saints’ offense. After the last three weeks, those players have plenty of expertise in the area.
New Orleans Saints continue to play themselves into the most difficult late-game scenarios
The list of quarterbacks in the NFL who can overcome double-digit deficits is short: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson (in 2021), Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers (with or without COVID), Justin Herbert on a good day. Trevor Siemian does not belong on this list.
Despite his few strengths, Siemian simply does not inspire enough confidence in his offense. Despite their well-intentioned enthusiasm, New Orleans’ offense is not complete enough to stage a successful comeback, either.
The usual suspects — Smith, Callaway, Harris — remain reliable targets but none are deserving of the title of a big-play receiver.
On last resorts, Siemian has needed to rely on wideout weapons like Lil’ Jordan Humphrey and Kenny Stills, both of whom would have a tough time making any other team’s roster.
Their wide receivers don’t make the cut. Their tight end is an festering thorn in their side, most games.
In actuality, it would be an early Christmas miracle if the Saints were capable of coming back in games given what they have to work with.
Next. Winners and losers from Week 11 loss to Eagles. dark
If NOLA somehow manages to snake their way back into the playoff race, it’ll be because the Saints have (finally) learned how to score early, not because they’ve perfected the art of the comeback.
As seasoned of a coach as Sean Payton is, even he has to know the Saints aren’t capable of such a mountain-climbing feat. Not this year.