Saints and Packers Look to Avoid Disaster
The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers combined to win 28 of the 32 regular season games they played last season. Neither team made it to the NFC Championship game. So far this season, only the Packers have won a game.
The Saints and Packers dominated the NFC last season putting up numbers on offense that had never been seen before. The two teams combined to score 1,107 points and Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers combined to throw for 10,119 yards. So far this season, Brees has been intercepted 5 times and Rodgers is 20th in passing yards.
This Sunday, the Saints and Packers will play at Lambeau Field in what fells like an early elimination game. If the Saints lose, they will fall to 0-4 and since the merger only the 1992 San Diego Chargers have made the playoffs after starting 0-4. That is one team in over 40 years of football. If the Packers lose they will fall to 1-3 and since the merger only 21 teams have made the playoffs after starting 1-3. The best the Saints can do after the game Sunday is 1-3. The Saints have made the playoffs 9 times in their history and 2 of those times (1990,2000) they did so after starting 1-3.
What Went Wrong?
The answer to the question of what went wrong seems more obvious for the Saints. The Saints went through a well documented summer from hell that has left them without their General Manager, Head Coach, and Interim Coach. Aaron Kromer has been left in charge of the team and despite his best efforts something seems to be missing.
Gregg Williams was fired and Steve Spagnuolo has taken over the Saints defense. So far, Spagnuolo’s defense is last at just about everything and has given the team almost no chance to win any of their first three games. The defense couldn’t hold a 24-6 lead against the Chiefs last week while giving up 510 yards of offense. Jamaal Charles rushed for 233 yards, 91 of it on one play that got the Chiefs back into the game.
It’s not just coaching and defense that has hurt the Saints this season. The offense hasn’t been the dominate force that Saints fans have taken for granted since Sean Payton and Drew Brees arrived in 2006. Drew Brees doesn’t seem to have any rhythm with his receivers, Mark Ingram has failed to make any impact, and Marques Colston has limped through the first three games with a bad foot.
The Packers haven’t been as bad as the Saints this season, but that doesn’t mean their season hasn’t been every bit as frustrating. The Packers were blown off their home field on opening day by the San Francisco 49ers but seemed to rebound the following week against the Bears on Thursday Night Football. At 1-1, the Packers seemed to be back on track with plenty of time to get ready for their week three game against the Seahawks. The Packers were robbed in front of the entire Nation when the now infamous #FailMary was ruled a touchdown. The Packers should be 2-1.
The fact is the Packers aren’t 2-1. The are 1-2 and they can’t only blame #FailMary. The Packers offensive line was as bad as the officials on Monday allowing Rodgers to be sacked 8 times. In three games this season, Rodgers has already been sacked 16 times.
Has Anything Gone Right?
Trying to find a silver lining in the Saints 0-3 start is difficult but not impossible.
Darren Sproles has been dynamic out of the backfield and is on pace to shatter the record he set last year for all-purpose yards. Jimmy Graham has scored a touchdown in each of the three games this season and continues to be virtually indefensible. Lance Moore has 12 receptions so far this season and all twelve of them have resulted in a first down or a touchdown.
The Packers also have plenty of positives to focus on.
Clay Matthews has been unblockable and has already equaled his 2011 sack total of 6. Randall Cobb continues to develop into a dangerous weapon and scored a touchdown on a punt return against the 49ers. Cedric Benson is learning the offense and should give the team their best rushing attack since Rodgers took over for Brett Favre. AJ Hawk is having his best season as a pro and has already accumulated 30 tackles only 7 less than league leader, NaVorro Bowman.
Who has a Better Chance to Make the Playoffs?
The Packers are in a much better position to save their season and make the playoffs. The Packers do have a win and get to play the Saints at home on Sunday. If the Packers can get to 2-2 this week, the Lions beat the Vikings and the Cowboys beat the Bears, the Packers will be in a four way tie for the NFC North. The Packers play the Colts, Rams, and Jaguars in three of their next four games and could easily be 5-3 when the kids go trick or treating on Halloween.
Things are much more difficult for the Saints. They need to find a way to beat the Packers this weekend before heading home to play a good San Diego Chargers team. If the Saints can win their next two games, they will be 2-3 heading into their bye week and will get interim coach Joe Vitt back from suspension after a week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Vitt should give the team a boost. Will it be too late?
Who Will Win on Sunday?
Don’t be shocked if the Saints pull up the upset, but don’t count on it. The reality is that this column would not have be written if the Packers didn’t get jobbed by the replacement officials on Monday. The Packers would be 2-1 heading home to put a fork a in the reeling Saints. The Packers have been a much better team than the Saints this season and they should be able to take care of their business at home this week. Prediction: Packers 55 Saints 30
