Saints Report #11 - November 22, 2018

We were making the just-over-an-hour drive to the Superdome Thanksgiving night.  We had packed turkey sandwiches to tailgate, but we would end up trafficgating, and eating them while sitting in heavier than usual, and probably a little bit more inebriated than usual traffic in New Orleans.  On the pre-game show I heard the announcement that last week’s star, Tra’quan Smith was inactive for the game, as was our newest free agent, the veteran Brandon Marshall.  “Oh, no” I thought.  The rookie Smith emerged with 150+ yards receiving last week, taking some pressure off of Michael Thomas.  Who was Drew Brees going to throw to now, with teams double teaming Thomas and Alvin Kamara?  The biggest rival coming to the dome, the hated Falcons, and I would hear later that Matt Ryan had felt they could hang 40 on the Saints defense.

The only question was, who was more wrong?  The Saints won the game 31-17, and the turnover battle 4-1.  The Falcons turned the ball over in the red zone 3 times, each time legitimately caused by great Saints plays.  With the defense repeatedly rising to the occasion, all Brees did was complete 4 touchdown passes to 4 undrafted free agents – Dan Arnold (who is beginning to emerge as the tight end of the future), Tommylee Lewis, Kevin Kirkwood, and Austin Carr. Has that ever happened before?  Anywhere?

The Saints controlled the game with their running game as the offensive line continued its stellar work by opening hugh lanes for Kamara and Ingram.  The defense, led by Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins pressured Ryan all night.  Matt Ryan is putting up big numbers, and the Falcons remind me of the Saints during their 3 straight 7-9 campaigns – overly reliant on big passing numbers.

As I watched in the crazed dome, let me point out one unsung hero, for the Saints – last year’s season ending goat – Marcus Williams.  He’s playing an amazing centerfield for the Saints.  They leave him back there by himself while the corners press receivers.  Eli Apple has been enough of an upgrade at one corner, opposite Marshawn Lattimore, and PJ Williams continues to improve, all made possible by Marcus on the back end.  The Saints have struggled at the safety position since Darren Sharper’s Super Bowl season.  Marcus covers the ground.

Now, it’s off to Dallas for a second straight Thursday night game, and a wrap up of what has been a stunning November that so far totals 175-73.  That’s right – they have a 102 point edge in 4 games, an average of over 25 points, as the winning streak has reached 10.  Back in the magical 2009 season it was the Cowboys who ended the Saints 13 game winning streak to start the season.  Five games to go, and the Saints know they’re in a dogfight to try to hold home field advantage.  Truthfully, it’s going to be hard.  The Rams schedule is much easier in December.  But, the Saints seem to find a way to win every week.  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and it’s beginning to feel a lot like 2009.

When we finally got home early on Black Friday, my playoff ticket invoice was waiting in the mailbox to prove it.  It’s beginning to look a lot like January football in the dome.