Recap: In their previous two games, the talented Saints showed once again that this is no longer a team that is solely reliant on its quarterback. Resilient wins over the Seahawks and Cowboys meant that Sean Payton’s squad was the only club in the NFC South above .500 after four weeks of play.
Teddy Bridgewater continues to impress, throwing for 314 yards and four touchdowns (one interception), with 182 yards and two scores on 11 grabs by wide receiver Michael Thomas. Alvin Kamara finished with more than half (62) of the Saints’ 112 yards on the ground. And the New Orleans defense limited the Buccaneers to 252 total yards and sacked Jameis Winston six times.
Next Week: The Saints battle a team from the Sunshine State for the second straight week only this time it is on the road as Payton’s club travels to Jacksonville for the first time since 2011. It’s just the seventh meeting between the franchises, with New Orleans owning a 4-2 series lead while prevailing in the club’s last three encounters.
Playoff hopes: Make it three straight wins for Payton’s club, which continues to show why it may be the most complete team in the NFL. Now the team waits to see when Brees will make his return. Could it be sooner than anticipated? The Saints are now hearing footsteps in the NFC South but are playing very solid football these days.
Recap: The unbeaten Pats headed south to Landover for the first time since 2011 and took on a Washington Redskins’ squad still looking for its first victory of the season. Mike Nugent would be the team’s new kicker as veteran Stephen Gostkowski was placed on IR early in the week.
Tom Brady was dropped four times but after a sluggish start threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns (one interception). Sony Michel ran for 91 of the team’s 130 yards on the ground and Julian Edelman finished with a game-best eight receptions for 110 yards and one score. The Pats gave up 65 yards on Washington’s lone touchdown and a paltry 155 yards on 52 offensive plays.
Next Week: Belichick’s squad plays host to the Giants for the first time in the regular season since 2011 and these clubs clash for the first time since ’15. Four seasons ago, the Patriots came up with a 27-26 victory at MetLife Stadium in the series’ latest installment. Including two Super Bowl meetings, these team have split 12 contests.
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Playoff hopes: While the Bills are just one game behind the defending Super Bowl champions in the AFC East, Belichick’s club already has three wins vs. their divisional brethren, including road victories at Buffalo and at Miami. With New England’s defense remaining staunch, it’s going to take a huge effort to knock the Pats off.