The New Orleans Saints have made a habit of digging themselves a hole right away, and that’s what makes Sunday’s matchup with the Browns feel so pointed. If there’s one place this offense has to wake up, it’s the opening quarter.
New Orleans has been the league’s worst first-quarter scoring offense, and the numbers have been brutal. The Saints have scored just once in the first quarter all season, a touchdown against the Raiders that came with a missed extra point. That kind of slow start has been a stubborn part of the team’s identity this year, and Tyler Shough, Kellen Moore and the offense need to be ready from the first snap.
The good news for New Orleans is that Cleveland has been just as shaky in the opening 15 minutes on defense. The Browns have given up 66 first-quarter points, which works out to 8.25 points per game. That sets up a rare chance for the Saints to attack a defense that has been vulnerable early, even if only for one week.
And if the Saints can actually cash in early, it could change the shape of the game. Cleveland’s defense has been much tougher overall, allowing 21.6 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The numbers point to a unit that settles in after the first quarter, so New Orleans has to strike before that happens.
The Browns have their own first-quarter problem on offense, too. They’ve scored just 13 points in the first quarter this season, the second-worst mark in the league, and that came with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. That leaves open the possibility that Cleveland could go scoreless again in the opening frame.
For the Saints, the equation is simple: start fast, build a cushion and make the Browns chase. With New Orleans struggling to generate offense lately, an early burst would be especially valuable if the game gets tighter later on.
In Other News...
Saints Face A Cameron Jordan Decision That Could Define This Season
Rumors around Cameron Jordan have started to swirl at the same time the Saints are trying to steady a season that already feels like it is moving toward a defining stretch. The veteran defensive lineman remains one of the most recognizable players on the roster, and any conversation about moving him carries obvious weight because of what he has meant to the defense and where New Orleans stands right now.
The chatter has centered on Dallas as the kind of destination that could make sense if the Saints decide to listen, with Jordans recent play and contract status both part of the equation. For now, though, the timing is what makes this so tricky, with an upcoming game against the Browns adding another layer to a decision that could shape both the present and the direction of the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Have A New Offensive Wild Card In Week 9
The Saints are getting a fresh offensive variable at just the right time, with rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson back in the mix as New Orleans tries to climb in the NFC South. Tyson has spent the first eight weeks on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, but his return now gives the offense another name to work into the plan as the calendar turns to Week 9.
Tyson is in line to make his NFL debut against the Browns, and his status adds a little intrigue to a Saints attack that could use a spark. Even with the question mark still hanging over his availability, the possibility of getting a rookie receiver on the field gives New Orleans something new to monitor as it looks for answers and consistency on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Get A New Decision On Stalled Drives Against Cleveland
Charlie Smyth is back in the kicking mix for New Orleans after the Saints moved on from Daniel Carlson, giving the offense a different kind of safety net heading into the matchup with Cleveland. Smyth came to the team through the NFL International Player Pathway program and already has a moment on his rsum that showed he can handle pressure when the game is hanging in the balance.
His return matters because it can change how Kellen Moore approaches those stalled drives that often force a choice between being aggressive and taking points. With a kicker now in place again, the Saints have a little more flexibility on third and fourth down against the Browns, even if the bigger question is how much trust the staff will place in him once those decisions start coming fast. [Read more 🡒]