Before you get too excited about the Saints

[WhoDat]

That with a few plays that didnt go their way they could very easily be 9-1 or 8-2. I am saying that just because they are undefeated doesnt mean that the Pats should be afraid of them.

afraid? no. Concerned? Yes.

And if you're not concerned, then your looking past this game.

 

[The Dynasty]

I dont think it will be as close as who has the last possession. Our Oline is not a weakness. Rushing TBC will leave one of the remaining two LB to cover the RB out the back ( bell, thomas or bush ). We may see more slip screens if that is the case. Or you can go nickel and try to cover up, but then who guards Shockey/ Thomas in a 2 te set?

The one thing the Colts/Pats game showed was that by the 4th Q, your D was gassed. Could have been due to the magnitude of the game, could have been due to sustained drives or could be that aside from Wilfolk, you guys are not that "heavy" on the Dline and rely on LB to get pressure on QB. I dont watch enough Pats games to really know.

But one thing I do know is the way our team is set up (offensively ) is to play 60 min. We run the ball with consistency ( 3rd in per game rush yds in NFL with around 151 ) and get alot of good looks off play action. That can wear down a defense over 3 quarters and into the 4th where our team is really good at closing games.

Our one weakness is againts drive-sustaining teams. Limit the number offensive possessions which inturn, makes every possession CRITICAL and you guys will make a game of it. It puts more pressure on Drew and Co. to make drives count.

I think it will be a good game. Too early for prediction, but if pressed to give one, end score something like 28-17 or 30-21 Saints.

McGowan shut down Dallas Clark in the Indy game, so I expect the same sort of game plan against Shockey this week. If Thomas beats us, then so be it, tip your hat to him.

Our defense was not gassed as many people think in the game vs the Colts. Look at the TOP number, there was no reason for us to be gassed. Our DL might have been tired because we were without 2 of our starters in Green and Warren and forced Wilfork to play much more than he is used to especially on passing downs. Getting pressure on the QB with out front 4 definitely is not a strength of ours and we dont really blitz that much, but when we do it is very timely and usually works. We blitz out ofthe nickel and dime with safeties like Pat Chung

 

[The Dynasty]

I am not overlooking this game by any means. The Saints are the best team in the league right now, them and the Colts and until they lose they will still be the best team. Some people on this board are acting like the Saints are unbelievable and we have almost no chance in winning. Why should we not think we can win this game? A Saints fan brought up our week 2 game vs the Jets compared to their week 4 game vs them as well. That was Brady's second game back and we were without Welker and Mayo. Not an excuse, but just pointing that out. We beat the Dolphins pretty handingly, and the Dolphins dominated them in the first half before coming back and winning in the 2nd half. We could go back and forth talking about common opponents and those games and what that means, but what I was trying to say when posting about that is the teams are very even. The Patriots have not won on the road this year, the TB game in London doesnt really count, that is an issue that the Pats need to address and this is the perfect week to do so playing in front of a national audience on Monday night when the Superdome should be as loud as ever

 

[PatsSox363804]

McGowan shut down Dallas Clark in the Indy game, so I expect the same sort of game plan against Shockey this week. If Thomas beats us, then so be it, tip your hat to him.

Our defense was not gassed as many people think in the game vs the Colts. Look at the TOP number, there was no reason for us to be gassed. Our DL might have been tired because we were without 2 of our starters in Green and Warren and forced Wilfork to play much more than he is used to especially on passing downs. Getting pressure on the QB with out front 4 definitely is not a strength of ours and we dont really blitz that much, but when we do it is very timely and usually works. We blitz out ofthe nickel and dime with safeties like Pat Chung

Yes. The biggest reason our D was "gassed" is because we were without TBC, Green, Warren, and Ninkovich. Without TBC our pass rush is non existent lately.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

The matchups should be nice. The Saints defense is very average if you measure it in terms of PPG (14th), YPG (17th), rushing YPG (20th) and passing YGPG (15th). But it's exceptional if you look at turnovers created (1st), points scored by the defense (1st), opposing completion % (1st, 53.2%), opposing passer rating (1st, holding opponents to a 57.8 rating, largely because of all of the turnovers and completion %), and red zone defense (5th). So the yards and points are somewhat deceptive. The Saints give up yards and points, but make big plays and turnovers, and score points off of their defense. The Pats will have to avoid mistakes and turnovers, which they have done well this season, ranking 2nd in turnover differential (the Saints rank 4th). I'd like to see more running and play action, and less shotgun.

I really hope that the Patriots are sharp in the red zone. It's seemed to be a weakness of theirs lately, especially in the 2nd half. If the Saints D is forcing FG attempts, and Brees and co. are doing their normal 30+ points per game business, it'll be a one sided game - especially when you throw in the dome and home crowd factors.

 

[The Dynasty]

I really hope that the Patriots are sharp in the red zone. It's seemed to be a weakness of theirs lately, especially in the 2nd half. If the Saints D is forcing FG attempts, and Brees and co. are doing their normal 30+ points per game business, it'll be a one sided game - especially when you throw in the dome and home crowd factors.

I dont know if the dome and home crowd factors are a big problem for the Pats. It wasnt really a problem in Indy, although the Superdome is louder, but I dont seeing that being an issue in this game.

 

[PatsSox363804]

I really have no idea why we're showing up for this game considering the comments on here and Saintsreport

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

I dont know if the dome and home crowd factors are a big problem for the Pats. It wasnt really a problem in Indy, although the Superdome is louder, but I dont seeing that being an issue in this game.

You're right, probably not a big problem - but in a close game it could play a factor. I guess I'm still slightly haunted by the 06 AFCC.

 

[The Dynasty]

I really have no idea why we're showing up for this game considering the comments on here and Saintsreport

I agree, I dont understand some of the comments I'm reading both on here and there. There wasnt any of this talk before the Colts game...

 

[102 Pat]

Something pretty good happened the last time the Pats played in the Superdome...

 

[TheBeers]

This looks like a pretty even match-up to me. Saints could have a loss or two if the ball bounces a different way... Pats could have won the 3 games they lost just as well. The records are what they are but they don't mean squat when the teams take the field on monday. This is going to be a great close game I think.

 

[mystrymaster]

I agree, I dont understand some of the comments I'm reading both on here and there. There wasnt any of this talk before the Colts game...

Partially because Colts v Pats is a yearly occurrence and both teams know it is a big game and both teams match up well.

This being good thing is still kind of new to the Saints, the same bravado infected the Colts board with the Texans.

The Saints are a good ball club and this will be a good game but 1 thing I have learned over the years against the Pats, they have an answer for everything, When you beat them you don't beat them easily, you have to work for it.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I dont know if the dome and home crowd factors are a big problem for the Pats. It wasnt really a problem in Indy, although the Superdome is louder, but I dont seeing that being an issue in this game.

When did the Pats last play in the Superdome? SB 36? that worked out pretty well for them....

 

[mystrymaster]

Hey Patriots YOU'RE NEXT !!!

Wow bringing out a Goldberg reference for your trash talk? I think you need to rethink your strategy.

 

[pherein]

I'll second that.



Your point is extremely valid: a team's record at one point in time doesn't necessarily reflect how they were playing at another point in time.

It works both ways. The Pats got hit by the Jets, Ravens and Broncos when all 3 teams were hot. But the Pats caught the Titans when the Titans were in disarray. Pats should still beat the Titans, but they're a different team than when we played them. New Orleans faced the 3-0 Jets when they were hot, and the 5-0 Giants when they were hot, and trounced both. Just because both teams have struggled since then doesn't take anything away from the Saints' accomplishment - they soundly beat 2 teams that were playing extremely well going into those games.

I think it's fair to say that the Saints have played some very weak teams (Lions, Rams, Bucs). But Pittsburgh lost to Oakland last week, and Cincinnati lost to KC.

Overall, I agree that "strength of schedule" is meaningless. I wouldn't put any store by it.



The matchups should be nice. The Saints defense is very average if you measure it in terms of PPG (14th), YPG (17th), rushing YPG (20th) and passing YGPG (15th). But it's exceptional if you look at turnovers created (1st), points scored by the defense (1st), opposing completion % (1st, 53.2%), opposing passer rating (1st, holding opponents to a 57.8 rating, largely because of all of the turnovers and completion %), and red zone defense (5th). So the yards and points are somewhat deceptive. The Saints give up yards and points, but make big plays and turnovers, and score points off of their defense. The Pats will have to avoid mistakes and turnovers, which they have done well this season, ranking 2nd in turnover differential (the Saints rank 4th). I'd like to see more running and play action, and less shotgun.

The Pats defense matches up very well. 6th in YPG and passing YPG and 2nd in points allowed. 3rd in turnovers created, 3rd in opposing completion % (56.0), 4th in opposing passer rating (73). The big concern for the Pats is their ability to get pressure on Brees, and the ability of their 15th ranked rushing defense to stop the Saints' 5th ranked rushing attack average over 153 YPG. But I don't think the Saints have faced a defense as complete as the Pats' this year, nor one as physical. The Pats have faced fairly stiff defenses in the Jets and Indy, though they haven't faced one which makes as many big plays as the NO defense. The key for the Pats on D will be to stay aggressive and physical and not be afraid to give up the occasional big play. Play BBDB and the Saints will carve us up.

I actually think that the biggest advantage that the Pats have over the Saints is that we played Indy 2 weeks ago. We've already been battle tested against (and burned by) one of the greatest QBs of all time, and while the Saints' offense has more diversity than the Colts, I don't think our defense will wilt after having been tested by Manning and company. On the other hand, I don't think the Saints have faced an offense remotedly comparable to the Pats so far this year. It will be interesting to see whether they're defensive scheme continues to make key turnovers, or just gives up too many yards and points to the Pats.

At any rate, both of these teams are capable of winning the SB, regardless of who wins next week.

I would like to thank you for pointing out that the schedules are a meaningless point to pursue and for the insight you have shown in studying the stats representing the saints defense.

The saints defense is not built to be the 85 bears, but a new concept, built to give up yards and confuse an offenses into giving them an opportunity for the big play and eventually giving up the ball. Its a trap, the only point of this defense as G.W. has said is to give the ball back to this great offense on a short field.

This type of defense comes at a cost. The cost is yards and the risk gets greater with a seasoned vet slinging the pig skin. Enter Brady. He is good enough to weather the 4 quarters of tricks W.G will risk and hammer the ball down field like a seasoned pro. Using the play action to try and catch the defense off guard and a quick 9yrd run. You wont confuse this defense because they will not change until the second half, they will stick to the game plan G.W. has for you. So play action will not confuse the defense the saints will just react to the change, and try to strip 1st, and lose yardage.
You need to run the ball well on this team and never stop.

Your defense is exceptional, Dean Pees* is probably one of the most underrated coaches if the NFL.
He should have his own team. His attention to fundamentals and gap coverage is legendary, and it works.
to say the Saints offense has not faced a great defense before, I dont believe that is true, the eagles were #3, the Giants #1, jets #1 , miami #1 at defense when we faced them .

Now thats just this year. The Saints offense was #1 last year, #4 the year before and #1 before that, this offense has faced many #1-5 defenses sense 2006 that were just or not more physical, like the 2007 ravens, who we lost to. The offense is not new the defense is.

With all that said and After going threw mounds of data I come to the obvious conclusion, are teams are pretty damn even,lol. This is going to be a great game, mainly because of another stat we both share, neither team ever gives up.

 

[mayoclinic]

Your defense is exceptional, Dean Pees* is probably one of the most underrated coaches if the NFL.
He should have his own team. His attention to fundamentals and gap coverage is legendary, and it works.

Thanks for the analysis of the Saints' D. I agree it's good, but I think you'll find it more effective against "the Sanchize" than against Tom Brady.

As for Dean Pees being underrated, if you are correct then we are as guilt as anyone of underrating him. Most here consider Pees a bigger threat to our defense than Peyton Manning.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Bold Prediction of the Week: This game will not be close at all.

The Saints have barely beat the Rams, had a miracle comeback against the Fish, had a defensive stand against the Dirty Birds, and beat a decent Carolina team by 3 (I'm not counting that last fumble in the end zone by Williams.)

So the Pats do have the ability to blow out the Saints come MNF

 

[pherein]

Thanks for the analysis of the Saints' D. I agree it's good, but I think you'll find it more effective against "the Sanchize" than against Tom Brady.

As for Dean Pees being underrated, if you are correct then we are as guilt as anyone of underrating him. Most here consider Pees a bigger threat to our defense than Peyton Manning.

But hes a great fundamentals coach, hes given the Pats a stable defense sense 2006 I think, am I wrong?

Agree with the Sanchize remark, to a point, this game is so fast, with a 3-7 sec release even the best slip. The key is if your #8th ranked OL breaks and a running game doesnt materialize, and Martians land and give us the ultimate recipe for bread stick. I could happen

 

[pherein]

Bold Prediction of the Week: This game will not be close at all.

The Saints have barely beat the Rams, had a miracle comeback against the Fish, had a defensive stand against the Dirty Birds, and beat a decent Carolina team by 3 (I'm not counting that last fumble in the end zone by Williams.)

So the Pats do have the ability to blow out the Saints come MNF

I think that would be the only thing I would disagree with soundly, no you do not have the ability to blow out the saints, and neither do we.

 

[PatsFan24]

the pats have yet to beat a team with a wining record every team they beat is 500 or worst and the colts are the only playoff team out of all the team's they played so far

the saints have beat Giants and Eagles

2 team's that are better then the ravens and falcons the best team's the pats beat this year and both of them set at 5-5 and out of the playoff's

McNabb was out for that game...not saying they would have won but just noting