The New Orleans Saints left Sunday with more than a loss. They left with a defensive problem that was impossible to ignore.
In a 35-27 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans had enough offense to hang around. Tyler Shough threw four touchdown passes, and that kind of production usually gives a team a real shot to steal a win. But the Saints couldn’t keep pace when the Raiders surged with a 13-0 fourth quarter to close things out.
The biggest headache for New Orleans came from tight end Brock Bowers. Ezekiel Trezevant of Las Vegas Raiders on SI pointed to Bowers as the key reason the Saints got beat, noting how Las Vegas used him to create mismatches against the pass defense.
"Kubiak's biggest decision of the day was to start Bowers. Las Vegas will face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday. Kubiak's decision to start Bowers against the Saints helped the Raiders on Sunday, as Bowers nearly averaged 12 yards per catch.
Bowers' stat line alone made the decision to start him the right one. He was one of the biggest factors in the game.
His stellar performance gives the Chiefs a little more to consider as they prepare for the game. Bowers looked unstoppable against the Saints.
Bowers also looked unstoppable in training camp against the Raiders' defense, which appears to be one of the league's best defenses early in the season. Once he stepped back onto the field, Bowers looked like his normal, healthy self.
Kubiak was wise to get Bowers back on the field against the Saints. No one would have blamed Kubiak for leaving Bowers out against the Saints, with the Chiefs matchup looming. Doing so would have benefited Las Vegas in several ways."
The Saints aren’t going to see a tight end like that every week, but the issue was still there for anyone watching. New Orleans was exposed in a spot that had looked solid, and the Raiders made sure to attack it.
That leaves the Saints still fighting in the NFC South, but with less room to breathe. Sunday’s game carried the feel of an early must-win for New Orleans given Las Vegas’ poor season last year, and the loss only tightens the pressure.
New Orleans now turns to this weekend, where a win would help get the team back into the NFC South race.
In Other News...
Saints Suddenly Have A Backfield Problem They Can't Ignore
Travis Etiennes injury in Week 3 has left the Saints looking a lot thinner in the backfield than they were just a few days ago. With the run game already leaning on Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller as backup options, New Orleans suddenly has to sort through a position group that no longer looks as dependable or as explosive as it did when Etienne was available.
The Saints have already moved on from other running backs, which makes the depth issue even harder to ignore. If they want to steady the offense, they may need to look beyond the current room and consider outside help, with names like Zamir White or other free agents now part of the conversation as New Orleans tries to find some stability on the ground. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Backfield Suddenly Has A New Problem Ahead Of Vikings Game
The Saints backfield took another hit when Travis Etienne Jr. left the game against the Raiders with a hamstring injury, adding to a running back picture that has already been unsettled. It comes at a rough time for New Orleans, which has leaned on depth and flexibility at the position while trying to keep the offense moving through the early part of the season.
Minnesota made the situation even more interesting by signing former Saints backs Devin Neal and Audric Estime to its practice squad after both were released by New Orleans because of injuries. With the Vikings set to visit in Week 5, there is at least a chance the Saints could be looking across the field at two familiar names, even as they wait to find out how serious Etiennes setback turns out to be. [Read more 🡒]
Kendre Miller Suddenly Faces A Saints Opportunity That Could Define His Role
Kendre Miller is suddenly positioned for a bigger workload in New Orleans after Travis Etienne Jr. was ruled out with a hamstring injury, a development that lands right before a matchup with Atlanta. For a Saints offense trying to find the right balance in the backfield, the timing matters, especially with Alvin Kamara also likely to have his usage managed so he can stay effective over the long haul.
The challenge is that the Falcons have been sturdy against the run this season, which makes this more than a simple next-man-up spot. Miller now has a chance to carve out a meaningful role in a game where the Saints may need every clean carry they can get, and how they deploy the backfield could say plenty about where his place in the rotation stands going forward. [Read more 🡒]