Saints Report # 6 - October 13, 2019

The Saints traveled to Jacksonville and out-pounded the Jacksonville Jaguars 13 – 6.  The defenses were so dominant the only thing missing was throwback jerseys.  The Saints moved to the most improbable 5-1 in their history.

It was ground and pound and punt most of the day, and new Saints Latavius Murray and Jared Cook showed why the Saints signed them as free agents.  Murray took the load off of a hobbled Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook caught the two biggest passes of the game.  First, he caught a 4 yard touchdown pass to give the Saints their final margin, and then in the 4^th quarter he took a 3^rd and 1 reception 20 yards to help the Saints maintain possession on their final drive of the game.  That drive ended with Teddy Bridgewater kneeling inside the five.  Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone was Sean Payton’s first offensive coordinator on the Saints, and he didn’t call his last timeout, and Sean Payton didn’t try to ram in a meaningless score, as the respect the two coaches have for each other was obvious.

That’s what real writers would call “burying the lead” as the real story of this game was the defense.  Defense travels, and the Saints front line, anchored by Cam Jordan, simply dominated the game.  Jordan had two sacks, quelling Minshew mania for a day, and the defense bottled up Leonard Fournette.  It looked like Demario Davis was assigned to shadow him, as he repeatedly tackled Fournette.  The Saints secondary, led by Marshon Lattimore bottled up the receivers, and the Jaguars could only manage two field goals. 

Michael Thomas was key to moving the chains in the short passing game, as Bridgewater was like a pitcher throwing on too much rest.  He was high in the strike zone several times.  Sean Payton has adjusted the game plan for Bridgewater to a conservative, grind it out approach.  Punter Thomas Morestead keeps the Saints in control of field position, and I actually think the absence of Brees has affected the opposing teams more than the Saints.  They also play it closer to the vest, because they don’t prepare for a shoot out, they think it will be more traditional.  More about field position.  It’s throw back football.  Lattimore, Jordan, Thomas, and possibly Davis are headed for the All-pro team, and the Saints placing more defensive than offensive players on that would be unprecedented. 

Now, the Saints go to play Chicago.  (Why do the Bears never come to New Orleans?)  It will probably be a slugfest.  They might as well take the facemasks off and leave the sprinklers on all night.  Maybe Ditka and Butkas will suit up.  Oh, and one unsung hero to watch.  Zach Line, the Saints full back.  He’s getting a lot a playing time to help protect Bridgewater.  Watch for him to be waiting for Khalil Mack in the backfield.  It will be the throwback matchup of the day.