5 bold predictions for Saints against Patriots

If the New Orleans Saints want to beat the New England Patriots next week, they will need these five players to step up.

The New Orleans Saints were enjoying the positive press after they defeated the Green Bay Packers by the ridiculous score of 38-3. They did so by completely making quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams non-factors, while Jameis Winston threw five touchdowns in the game.

Those positive vibes ended in Week 2, as they were completely outmatched by the rival Carolina Panthers, losing by the score of 26-7 and being limited to 128 yards of total offense. This is a game that the Saints would like to burn the film of that game forever and never mention it again. But, they need to look back at what went wrong, because they face a rather tough challenge in the New England Patriots in Week 3.

Here are five bold predictions for the Saints as they face the Patriots.

5. Payton Turner records two sacks in second NFL game

While the Saints’ trip to Carolina was one to forget, there was one bright spot on the defensive side of the ball. Of course, we are talking about rookie edge rusher Payton Turner.

Making his NFL debut this past Sunday, the 2021 first-rounder made the game a bit more difficult for the likes of quarterback Sam Darnold and offensive tackle Cameron Erving. According to Pro Football Focus (via ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum), Turner recorded six pressures and recorded his first career sack. Additionally, Turner logged five total tackles (three for loss) and one quarterback hit on Darnold while playing in 41-percent of New Orleans’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.

Not a bad way for Turner to begin his NFL career, and Saints fans have to be happy about his prospects in the pros. Now, he will look to get to Patriots rookie Mac Jones in his second game. Given that Turner was the epitome of a wrecking ball against Carolina, we can see Turner recording two sacks against the Patriots.