On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints will once again be trying to stack wins together. This is a position the team hasn’t been in since entering Week 3. New Orleans started the year with two wins, then lost seven straight. The Saints finally got back in the win column in Week 10, now they’re trying to keep the momentum rolling.
The opponent trying to stop them on Sunday will be the Cleveland Browns, who will be led by former New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston. Cleveland is only 2-7, so this is definitely a game the Saints can win, but they’ll still need big performances from some key players.
3. Tyrann Mathieu needs to thrive against the Browns
Tyrann Mathieu is one of the players New Orleans needs to deliver a big performance, and that’s exactly what the veteran safety has been doing this year. In his 12th season, the star defender has three interceptions, and they’ve all been game-changing. On Sunday, that ball-hawking ability needs to be on full display.
One thing about Jameis Winston, he isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield; that typically has mixed results for his teams. In two starts this season, Winston has 569 yards for four touchdowns and three interceptions. He’ll certainly give the secondary a couple of chances to make a play on the ball, and Mathieu needs to be ready to capitalize.
2. Saints need Juwan Johnson to have a good game in Week 11
While the season hasn’t been going that great for the Browns, they undoubtedly have one of the best secondaries in the league. With Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II at corner, Cleveland can challenge any wide receiver room.
Unfortunately, New Orleans’ wide receiver room is already challenged with multiple guys sidelined with injuries. That means production could be light from receivers, so the tight ends will need to pick up the slack. This provides a big opportunity for Juwan Johnson to deliver a big game for the offense.
1. Alvin Kamara must deliver again for the Saints
Another way to open up the passing attack is by running the ball. That’s why Alvin Kamara is once again a key to victory for New Orleans— he always is. If the Saints can’t get Kamara and the run game rolling, the offense won’t be able to do anything else.
Fortunately, Kamara is in the middle of an elite stretch right now. In the last three games, he has 277 rushing yards (4.95 per carry) and 17 receptions for 169 yards. If this continues in Week 11, the Saints should pick up another win.