3 problems Saints must fix before Week 4 game

The New Orleans Saints are entering Week 4 at 2-1. With a huge game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the outlook of a 3-1 team and a 2-2 team are incredibly different, so New Orleans is trying to bounce back. Unfortunately for the Saints, they’re facing several health challenges in their pursuit of 3-1.

While getting healthy is a must, it’s not the only problem New Orleans is facing. The loss to the Philadelphia Eagles exposed a few issues the Saints currently have, and they need to clean those things up, or they will lose more games.

3. Saints must fix their run defense

New Orleans was elite on defense in every aspect throughout the first two weeks. In Week 3, though, the Saints faced off against another physical team, and they lost the important battle in the trenches. Philly ran the ball 25 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns. That’s 6.9 yards a carry— that’s not going to cut it.

New Orleans is facing another quality running back in Week 4, going against Bijan Robinson and the Falcons. If the team doesn’t get back on track against the run, they could fall to 2-2.

2. Saints must fix their wide receiver depth

Everyone knew this was an issue coming into the season, and it has already manifested. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have elevated their games to match expectations. After them, New Orleans is still looking for consistent contributors. Excluding Olave and Shaheed, the rest of the receivers have combined for four receptions for 20 yards.

That's not ideal. The Saints are getting contributions in the receiving game from Alvin Kamara and the tight ends, but for this offense to be consistently elite, another receiver needs to step up.

1. Saints must fix their interior blocking

This ultimately lost New Orleans the Week 3 game against the Eagles. Once Erik McCoy left the game during the first series, Jalen Carter absolutely took over the game. The interior of the offensive line struggled to run block and to pass protect, and as a result, the offense scored just 12 points.

With McCoy expected to be out around six to eight weeks, and Cesar Ruiz on the injury report, it’s unclear what the interior of the offensive line will look like Sunday, but the Saints have to figure something out. If they can’t run the ball, they won’t be able to pass protect. That means the team won’t score much, and the defense will be forced to play an all-time great game to give the team a chance to win.

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