During this giving season the New Orleans Saints still are looking for ways to be more generous to themselves than they have been to opponents. The Saints (2-9) were at their benevolent best (worst?) in a 24-10 loss to Atlanta last Sunday with two missed field goals, a lost fumble and three empty red zone trips.
Here are ways they can self-help their way to success on Sunday against Miami (4-7) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
1. CASH IN
The Saints have the worst red-zone touchdown scoring percentage (34.5) in the NFL, having dipped to that number following an 0-for-3 showing against the Falcons. New Orleans drove to Atlanta's 1-yard line twice, but only turned the trips into field goals. Any positives accomplished during journeys to the red zone are quickly forgotten or dismissed when the team continually comes up empty. Against the Falcons, New Orleans opted for more Taysom Hill than Tyler Shough at quarterback near the goal line. Regardless of the player, the execution has been off all season. Shough, the rookie, could use the reps. But at this point New Orleans is looking to get into the end zone any way it can, and...
2. RIDE THE RUN
…Maybe the best way to do that against Miami is the ground game. The Dolphins have the league's fourth-worst run defense (142.6 rush yards per game allowed). A run defense that porous is begging to be tested even by the Saints, whose 91.5 rushing yards per game is the fourth fewest in the league. New Orleans' cause isn't helped by Alvin Kamara's knee injury, which will keep him out Sunday, but rookie running back Devin Neal could have an even heavier workload against Miami after a career-high snap count against Atlanta. Shough and Hill can chip in on the ground — Shough especially can be effective on zone reads — and the Saints should lean into that mode of transportation. Plus, it'd keep Miami's offense off the field.
3. KICK WITH CONFIDENCE
New Orleans hopes it solved its kicking issues with the release of Blake Grupe and the signing of Cade York. Grupe struggled (18 for 26, including five misses from less than 50 yards), and a team that scores precious few points (15 per game, tied for last) needs every point it can muster. The special team kickoff return unit provided one of the Saints' few highlights last Sunday, a 75-yard return by receiver Mason Tipton, and that was a hopeful sign that they've improved that phase. But New Orleans needs a reliable kicker; NFL games are too close, too often, to not have one.
4. FORCE TUA'S HAND
As formidable as Miami's passing offense can be, the Saints have to view it as the lesser of two evils. Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has run for 900 yards and five touchdowns on 164 carries (5.5 yards per carry) and he can't be allowed to dictate the rules of engagement. If his production is minimized, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the centerpiece' and though he can be deadly accurate, he has thrown 13 interceptions to go with 17 touchdowns. New Orleans has shown the ability to affect opposing quarterbacks (edge rushers Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan and Chase Young each have at least four sacks) and a few position meetings around Tagovailoa could be in store. That'd make life more pleasant for cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor, and for safety Justin Reid.
