Sean Payton was not happy after Sunday’s loss to the Titans and nobody can blame him. The team was in position to win a game against one of the hottest teams in the league without Alvin Kamara, their starting quarterback and a lot of other injuries. With all these injuries and a game changing roughing the passer call the game still only came down to two points.
The Saints offense managed to be better than the Titans in every category on offense, and the defense still played lights out. The two touchdowns given up were off a fumble and a bad penalty. Trevor Siemian threw for 300 yards, and yet the Saints couldn’t pull off a win. So if quarterback isn’t the problem, what is the problem?
The biggest problem on the Saints right now is themselves. They shoot themselves in the foot and their constant backfiring mistakes hold them back. Penalties have been the biggest factor in three of their four losses.
The Saints are roughing the passer call, a blown coverage, and a holding penalty away from being 8-1. Despite all the injuries and adversity this team has faced they are still in position to win almost any game they are faced with, as long as they don’t get in their own way.
In the loss against the Falcons, all the dropped passes, yards after the catch allowed, and lack of attention to detail lost them the game. This just goes to show how the little things add up in a game and can cost a team big.
Sean Payton has had enough, in his press conference after the game someone could come to the conclusion that there will be some roster and personnel adjustments made this week at positions lacking production and forcing self harming mistakes. The kicking situation, the receivers possibly, and maybe we see Nick Vannett start next week in place of Adam Trautman.
Payton mentioned that positions who aren’t making plays could be evaluated this week and a possible personnel change happens, and you gotta look at the receiver room and make some sort of change. Kevin White can get separation but not catch, that alone should be a red flag to move on and try out guys on your practice squad like Kawaan Baker or Easop Winston. Some sort of change, bringing in a guy outside the building or a familiar face couldn’t hurt at this point.
Kicking situation will be evaluated as well, two missed extra points can’t happen in a game where points are more valuable than any other game.
The worst and best part about these mistakes is that they are all fixable. It’s good that this is not something out of the team’s control, these are fixable and adjustable mistakes. Penalties can be addressed as they have in the past, the kicking game I’m sure will be addressed this week, and I’m definitely sure the tight end room will be adjusted with Vannett this upcoming week. This is bad however because these problems haven’t been addressed or adjusted yet, but I would count on it this week.
For the receivers, maybe we see a familiar face or a practice squad guy get elevated but at this point I wouldn’t expect much.
As the week progresses we’ll see the Saints try some guys out, maybe a practice squad signing, but the overall team mistakes and weaker links of the team need to be reevaluated and addressed before things get really out of hand down this next stretch of the season.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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