The New Orleans Saints have a chance to steady themselves fast after last week’s 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, and the next test comes with a familiar kind of danger: Lamar Jackson.
That defeat stung because the Saints played well enough to win, and some around the game pointed to controversial calls and non-calls as part of the story. But this week is about something different. If New Orleans can stack another strong outing against the Baltimore Ravens, it would go a long way toward proving last week wasn’t a one-off.
The challenge, of course, is Jackson. He can punish a defense in more ways than one, and the easy assumption is that his legs could decide the game.
ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak isn’t buying that idea, though. He’s confident Jackson will stay under 40 rushing yards.
“(Lamar Jackson) is healthy this season, as 16-yard and 19-yard scrambles in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts indicate. Jackson ended the day with 40 rushing yards on seven carries (after losing three yards on three kneels).
New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle put Jackson under center more than Todd Monken and Greg Roman had previously. Under-center alignments limit the opportunity for designed QB run plays, like read options.
Jackson's lone designed carry against the Colts was a second-and-goal play from the 5-yard line. Though Jackson is still dangerous on a scramble, if he's only going to get designed carries in short-yardage or goal-line situations, his potential for high-yardage days will be capped.
I expect the New Orleans Saints and Brandon Staley's zone-heavy defense to keep much better eyes on Jackson in the scramble drill than the Colts' man-heavy approach afforded. I'll also be looking for an under on Jackson's longest rush (later), but I (have him rushing for less than 40 yards).”
That’s a bold line to draw against a quarterback who can flip a game with one snap. Jackson doesn’t need volume to wreck a defense, and New Orleans knows that better than most.
Still, the Saints should at least have a clear sense of what they’re facing. That awareness could help them stay disciplined against Jackson’s scramble threat. Whether that’s enough to contain him is another matter, and Sunday will show if New Orleans can do it.
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Saints Front Could Expose A Real Ravens Problem
The Ravens just rolled up 41 points and 506 total yards even while their offensive line drew multiple penalties, but the bigger concern for Baltimore is what comes next. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley and left guard John Simpson are dealing with injuries that leave their status uncertain for the matchup with New Orleans, and that is exactly the kind of setup the Saints front likes to exploit.
New Orleans opened the season with five sacks and has the sort of pass-rush depth that can make even a productive offense uncomfortable. If Baltimore is forced to patch together the left side of its line, the Saints will have a real chance to turn those protection questions into pressure, and possibly into the kind of disruption that changes the flow of the game. [Read more 🡒]
Saints May Have Found The Answer At Receiver For Now
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With Jordyn Tyson sidelined by injury, Vele has stepped into the No. 2 receiver role and given the offense a reliable target when it needed one. His path has already included a midseason contribution for the Saints last year before an injury cut that run short, so the question now is less about whether he belongs and more about how long he can keep this role once the rest of the receiver room gets healthy. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Get A Timely Boost Before Their Toughest Test Yet
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Jordans return gives New Orleans a much-needed edge on defense, especially with Derrick Henry looming as the centerpiece of Baltimores ground attack. For a team trying to steady itself quickly, getting two proven playmakers back in time for a matchup like this changes the tone of the week, even if the challenge ahead remains as difficult as advertised. [Read more 🡒]