Slow starts have been the biggest storyline for the New Orleans Saints offense this year, and it’s often framed as the biggest flaw on the team. The truth is turnovers have been the biggest detriment to the team and have been the catalyst for the losses. Tyler Shough has to protect the football against the Atlanta Falcons, or the result will look like last week.
The reason slow starts have dominated conversation is because it’s been a recurring issue in the Kellen Moore era. Additionally, there’s stats like, holding a first quarter lead, that are tangible things to point out and identify the issue.
Last week, however, was a great example to show how turnovers have been the bigger issue. The Saints started faster and broke the streak of 23 straight games without leading after the first quarter. They also scored in the first quarter and had a first half touchdown for the first time this season, but despite the early success, the four turnovers in the fourth quarter derailed all of that momentum.
Saints turnnovers are the reason they're 1-2
Four turnovers on four consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter is a bit of an extreme example and isn't something that is likely to happen again. Despite it being a rarity, the severity can't be downplayed as simply being an isolated incident.
The Saints would likely be undefeated if they didn't turn the ball over this year. It's easy to say protect the football and win, but New Orleans has turned the ball over 7 times this year, all of which have been at deadly times.
Everyone attributes the 21-0 deficit against the Lions to being a product of slow starts, but it was actually a product of second half turnovers. The Saints started slow and was only down 7-0 at halftime. That's not a big hurdle to overcome, and it was the same deficit they faced against the Ravens.
The challenge grew when Shough threw an interception and fumbled on consecutive drives in Saints territory. The Lions took advantage of the short field with touchdowns and put the Saints in a much deeper hole.
Without those turnovers, or even just committing one of them, Week 1 looks drastically different. The same is true for last week's collapse. If they simply cut the turnovers in half, we could be looking at an undefeated team right now.
The Saints had no turnovers against the Ravens and walked away victorious. It's not a coincidence.
Of the 7 turnovers, Shough has six of them. He understands the importance of improving in this aspect and puts the responsibility on himself.
“I take ownership. The ball’s in my hands every play. I control what can happen a lot of the time. I can't control certain elements, but I can a lot of those things. Two hands on the ball, turnovers, those things can be killers”
Not all of the turnover have been his fault per se, but Shough is right to put ownership on himself. That should be his biggest priority on Monday Night.
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