How/where to watch
The 5-3 Saints travel to Tennessee to take on the 7-2 Titans in what should be a defensive showdown. Kickoff is at Nissan Stadium and starts at 10:00 AM PST, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM EST. Here’s a map of what areas get the game locally on CBS, Saints and Titans are in blue.
If you don’t get the game or can’t watch it for some reason, links to live streams of the game will be sent to my Saints groups chat. Link is here to join: https://relevnt.app/vibe/44763
Uniforms
Saints will wear white uniforms with black pants.
Inactives
This will be updated prior to the game.
Roster Moves
This will be updated as more information is reported.
Injury report
Players to watch
Taysom Hill, while he isn’t the farting quarterback he will have a huge role in this game. The power part of the run offense includes Hill and he will have a critical role in the offense. Also how often does he throw the ball and what roles does he play in the offense.
Mark Ingram, first game without Alvin Kamara, can Ingram carry the workload and take some stress off of Siemian. This is a game of who wins the trenches and Ingram is the perfect guy to do so.
Marshon Lattimore, can he up his level up play for AJ Brown. Also can he keep his cool and not let his emotions get the best of him.
Things to keep an eye on
Skill positions, can they make plays and be a reliable part of the team
How often does Ty Montgomery go to running back with Kamara being out
Can the Saints run the ball effectively without Kamara
Does the front seven shut down the run game
Does the Saints front four get constant pressure on Ryan Tannehill?
Can the Saints secondary be reliable and consistent in coverage.
Mark Ingram is 20 yards shy of the Saints all time rushing leader.
What parts of the offense does Taysom Hill play, how often is he in.
How does the passing game look without Alvin Kamara?
Can James Hurst and Calvin Throckmorton be solid in pass protection and keep Simmons contained.
Keys to the game
Start off fast, this is a game where the Saints don’t want to be losing in the second half. With or without Derrick Henry the Titans will just wear out a defense in the second half. The Saints offense has to be able to click and put points on the board early. Offense also has to keep the defense off the field and rested otherwise it will be a long game and an even worse second half.
Win the turnover battle, if the Saints turn the ball over offensively the Titans will tire out the defense and wear them out. The Saints defense has to create ways to set the offense up for success as well and creating turnovers is the best way to do that. Make the Titans uncomfortable and call plays that they don’t want to call.
Control the clock, if the Saints can control the clock and not let the Titans manage the game they’ll be in a good position to win. The Titans like to take their time, tire the defense and make the opposing offense sit on the sideline longer than they should. They did this last week vs the Rams and the Rams looked like they were rushing their plays and were very uncomfortable. Stafford couldn’t rely on the run because the Titans took the lead so early and made the Rams defense wear out. The Saints need to do that to the Titans and make them uncomfortable.
Win in the trenches, the Saints need to stop the run first. The Titans will still try to run down the throats of the Saints and it needs to be stopped immediately. Once that’s stopped the pass rush has to force Tannehill to rush his throws, make him feel pressured and force a mistake. Offensively the Saints need to be able to run the ball with Mark Ingram and power through the Titans rushing defense. Let the linemen win this game and let the backfield take over, and most importantly protect Siemian.
Rooting guide
The Saints are currently the 6th seed and would be playing in Tampa Bay if the playoffs ended today. They are above the Falcons, Panthers, Vikings, and Seahawks.
Falcons @ Cowboys – Cowboys
Lions @ Steelers – Steelers
Bucs @ Washington – Washington
Panthers @ Cardinals – Cardinals
Vikings @ Chargers – Chargers
Eagles @ Broncos – Broncos
Seahawks @ Packers – Either one. Packers win the Saints stay ahead in the wildcard race. If Seahawks win then the Packers drop a game giving Saints some leeway for a possible higher seed in the long run.
Rams @ 49ers – 49ers for higher seed, Rams for a further game ahead in wildcard race. Ultimately 49ers though
Written By Kadin Janisch
If you need to contact me email me at whodattnation@gmail.com and I’ll try to get back to you.
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