Fansided

3 reasons New Orleans Saints fans shouldn’t panic after a shaky start to season

By Bre'ana Singleton

Oct 12, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (87) jumps into the endzone on a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (87) jumps into the endzone on a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints haven’t gotten off to the start they had hoped for. But here are 3 reasons why they could be just fine.

In one of the most exciting Monday Night Football matchups of the season so far, the New Orleans Saints were able to squeak past the Los Angeles Chargers despite an eye-opening performance from rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.

Going into the matchup, plenty of Saints fans were worried, and rightfully so, about the potential of what was supposed to be a Super Bowl contending team.

3. Play calling will benefit Drew Brees.

One thing a lot of fans didn’t expect to do this season is call for the job of their quarterback. Brees, who at 41 years old contemplated retirement ahead of the 2020 NFL season, came under fire on the internet after attempting just one pass over 20 yards in an unexpected loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in week 2, and then again after Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers came into NOLA and left with a win.

Though Brees’ performance is clearly being affected by father time, Sean Payton and his coaching staff will almost always put their team in the best position to succeed. The playcalling and usage of the roster are what should keep the Saints afloat. Using Alvin Kamara and even Taysom Hill in different situations has worked in their favor, especially when Brees isn’t comfortable throwing the long ball.

2. Michael Thomas still hasn’t seen the field.

The Saints might’ve had a much more convincing win last night had their star wideout Michael Thomas not gotten into a physical altercation with a teammate. Having a wideout that holds the NFL record for the most receptions by a player through his first four seasons on the field will surely relieve some of the offensive pressure on Drew Brees.

Even in Thomas’s absence, Emmanuel Sanders proved last night that he is a viable second option, if that wasn’t already obvious. Having two Pro Bowl receivers on the line and arguably the best running back in the league in the Kamara in the backfield is going to be tough to cover, whether Brees can launch it downfield or not.

1. The division isn’t what it has been in the past.

With the Atlanta Falcons looking at an 0-5 start and impending coaching staff changes, most would assume that they’re out of playoff contention despite Matt Ryan still being a top ten or twelve quarterback in the league.

Carolina has been surprisingly good given the fact that both Cam Newton and Christian McCaffery aren’t suiting up for the Panthers this season, Newton now with New England and McCaffery on injured reserve. However, the Chiefs and Packers are still on their schedule and it remains to be seen whether or not Teddy Bridgewater can lead a team into a playoff run.

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Finally, Tom Brady has found his way into the NFC South to the chagrin of the other division rivals. But it seems that some of the allure has washed away from six-time Super Bowl champ now that he’s in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers share the same record with both the Saints and the Panthers which has to be promising for New Orleans at this juncture in the season.

So hold on Saints fans, I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet. A veteran quarterback and able coaching staff may be all you need to compete for the top spot in the division.

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