NFL Week 3: Saints Keys to Victory vs. Packers

The 1-1 New Orleans Saints look to rebound in their Week 3 prime-time matchup on Sunday Night Football against the 2-0 Green Bay Packers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Packers lead the all-time series 16-9. New Orleans is on a bit of a winning streak however, winning its last two games to bring the total to 3-2 in their last five.

The Black and Gold will need to develop a level of consistency on both sides of the ball. This week’s opponent is a better version of the team that they faced this past Monday Night. Packers QB, Aaron Rodgers, passed for two touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 107.6 rating in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Green Bay RB Aaron Jones had career-high 236 scrimmage yards (168 rush, 68 rec.) and three touchdowns (two rushes, one reception) last week.

The Saints will need to be ready to defend another set of athletic and capable tight ends and a backfield that can be a threat in the passing game.

To follow are three areas in which the Saints need to improve if they want to win Sunday night at home to make it three straight wins against Green Bay:

1). Limit Penalties

Obviously, no penalties are what coaches and players strive for but there is no such thing as perfection. These things can only be limited. Over the first two weeks, the Saints have been putrid in this department with 19 penalties for a horrific 232 yards. It’s one thing to be a physical, scrappy team, but it’s another to be sloppy and undisciplined.

Even though the New Orleans defense is ranked 27th, opponents’ third-down conversion percentages have done a decent job of putting opposing team’s offenses in tough third-down situations. Unfortunately, these untimely miscues have resulted in giving opponents second and third chances which has resulted in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit giving up points.

This lack of discipline is getting in the way of the Saints’ ability to get teams off the field on critical third downs. It has also been crippling for their offense as they struggle with timing and rhythm. The Saints are second-to-last in penalties per game with eight.

2). Better Execution on Offense and Defense

A noticeable difference in the Saints Week 2 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders was the overall flow of the game as far as the play-calling from Head Coach Sean Payton went. In that defeat, the play scenarios made more sense and provided the offense with the ability to set up some of the bigger things they like to do.

That said, once again, for a second straight week, the execution has been poor. This lack of offensive crispness led to turnovers and repeated stalled drives, and punts or just three points.

Allen’s group suffers from much of the same, poor execution in coverage assignment. Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden did an excellent job of creating mismatches with the personnel he used. If the Saints cannot change this narrative against the Packers, it will be another long day for the Black and Gold.

3). Get TE Jared Cook Involved Early

The Packers have struggled in the passing game against the tight end, giving up several big plays. In Week 1, Cook was significant in the Saints’ ability to get big chunk plays in the passing game. His involvement opens the door for this wide receiver group that has struggled up to this point. Cook has caught seven of 12 targets for 93 yards and one touchdown so far this season.