Emmanuel Sanders could be the difference between 49ers and Saints

The Saints could be the top team in the NFC thanks to the addition of Emmanuel Sanders.

The New Orleans Saints went 13-3 last season, and didn’t get a bye in the NFC playoffs.

It cost them big, as they were upset by the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round. Perhaps if they weren’t stuck in the Wild Card game, the Saints would have reached the Super Bowl. One of those teams with a week off? The San Francisco 49ers.

This offseason, general manager Mickey Loomis made a key move, bolstered the Saints’ receiving corps by signing Emmanuel Sanders away from the Niners on a two-year, $16 million contract.

Michael Thomas is one of the top-two receivers in the league on almost any list. He’s good at total receptions, yards after the catch, touchdowns in the red zone, deep-threat ability, etc. However, the Saints have had trouble with targets beyond Thomas.

The Vikings basically neutralized Thomas last postseason. He only had eight targets, and his longest catch was for 20 yards. The season before, Thomas was only able to catch four balls for 36 yards in a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In the Minneapolis Miracle, Thomas might have scored two touchdowns, but all his passes were underneath and he wasn’t really able to break free.

Now, the Saints have a legitimate second threat on the outside.

New Orleans adds Sanders to an offense that has Drew Brees leading the way for one more season. The Saints also have Thomas back to dominate once more, a healthy Alvin Kamara in the backfield, and tight end Jared Cook stretching the seam. This pushes the Saints roster to the top of the NFC. With turmoil in Green Bay, on paper, it’s a two-man race in the conference.

The Saints needed an edge, and potentially took it straight from their chief rival. Sanders is going to allow Brees to look past Thomas when he’s covered. That could be an X-factor in the playoffs, a spot where the Saints absolutely needed it.