The bye week came at a great time for the New Orleans Saints.
While it would've been interesting to immediately see if they could extend the vibe created from a 17-7 road win against Carolina, 10 consecutive weeks of NFL games can be immeasurably taxing on the body and mind.
A refreshed New Orleans (2-8) will now take a swing at Atlanta (3-7) on Sunday in the Caesars Superdome, and the Saints will need more than boiling dislike to generate a victory over the Falcons. These factors can assist:
1. PASS IT ON
The high that was generated by rookie quarterback Tyler Shough's performance was one of the reasons for wanting to see the Saints back on the field as soon as possible. When last we saw him, he completed 19 of 27 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns and was the point man on completions of 62 (touchdown), 52 and 30 (touchdown) yards. Atlanta has had a formidable pass defense: 188 yards allowed per game, sixth-fewest in the league, and 34 sacks, second most. But the Falcons have given up 279 passing yards per game over the last three, and though they produced a whopping 18 sacks, they allowed six touchdown passes against two interceptions in the three losses. Saints receiver Chris Olave (60 catches, 664 yards, four touchdowns) has been on an impressive run that New Orleans needs to continue. He'll draw more attention and will need help, but when he's the target, there must be production — catch, defensive pass interference, defensive holding — whatever helps move the chains.
2. STAY LOCKED IN
New Orleans knows how unwise it is to exhale because of who's not available for the Falcons (quarterback Michael Penix, receiver Drake London) instead of concentrating on who is available (quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Bijan Robinson). Cousins is a veteran who'd been relegated to backup status, but anyone who doesn't remember his success as a starter in Minnesota has selective memory. Robinson (783 rushing yards and four touchdowns on five yards per carry, 506 receiving yards and two touchdowns while averaging 10.8 yards per catch) is a home run threat out of the backfield. Saints linebacker Demario Davis, whose 91 tackles is tied for seventh most in the league, will lead the pursuit.
3. GET TO COUSINS
After facing a procession of mobile quarterbacks, the 37-year-old Cousins might be the most immobile one New Orleans will see this season. Adding to the season total of 23 sacks would be great, but the Saints need to affect Cousins regardless of sacks. We know how much Saints edge Cameron Jordan (3.5 sacks) likes to acquaint himself with Falcons quarterbacks; he, Carl Granderson (4.5) and Chase Young (three) can wield some influence and remove some pressure from the secondary.
4. WIN THE CROWD
Saints fans haven't had much to cheer about this season and, frankly, the Superdome hasn't been much of a home-field advantage because of the team's lack of success. But this is the Falcons, and the Saints are a game behind them in the NFC South Division standings. A win doesn't just even the records, it would be New Orleans' second in a row, would elevate the team to third in the division and give it Round 1 against the one team fans want to see the Saints take down more than any other. New Orleans has to do enough to keep the crowd loud and involved if it wants to create the atmosphere and give its fans ammunition to crow about.
