My thoughts leading into the Saints game

[removed_20241105]

I was more remembering the playoff game. The Saints have a similar style to the Packers in that they like to lean on their backs, and they have a solid QB and a good group of WRs. We should want the ball so that we can set the tone early instead of them.

Yep. I’m not worried about the Saints. There’s nothing they can do if the Cowboys are on their game. I do want them to dictate the game and it starts with the first possession, hopefully on O.

 

[Proof]

My thoughts: condense. Really not trying to be a d*ck

why? if it's too long, just don't read it. condensed thoughts can be replies in a random thread. some of us appreciate well thought out, lengthy insight.

 

[nalam]

I think the Saints will put a damper on our home opener. 27-17.

Dislike Dislike Dislike

 

[movaughn88]

I mean, there wasn't really a way to condense this thread very much. Plus, I was establishing that this may become a weekly idea.

Fair enough, thanks for taking the effort to write it.

 

[FVSTONE]

Okay, so this is the first installment of a new thing I'm going to try. Tomorrow is the first game of week 2, so, I'm choosing today to give my thoughts leading into the upcoming game that the Cowboys gave. More specifically, here are my thoughts leading into the Saints game. This is a thread where I look at the previous week for our opponent, our team, and what I think our keys to victory are against the next team we play.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/boxscore/NFL_20240908_CAR@NO/

The Saints
The Saints are kinda hard to gauge entering this week. We are playing a team who, yes completely blew out their opponent, but it was basically a warm up game with how pathetic the Panthers are (who, along with the Giants, make a strong case for relegation in the NFL). However, that doesn't change the fact that the Saints have some key pieces to examine entering this week.

• As I look at the play by play bits in the link I provided above, they do seem to be using Derek Carr in the passing game. He was 19/23 for 200 yards and 3 TDs.
• Kamara and J Williams gained over 100 yards combined for 2 TDs.
• Shahed, Moreau, and Kamara appear to have been their top receivers last week.
• A. Taylor had 3 sacks against the Panthers.

The Cowboys

Meanwhile, the Cowboys played the Browns. Here is the stat link https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/boxscore/NFL_20240908_DAL@CLE/. Here is my breakdown from this:

• Dak was 19/32 for 179 yards and 1 TD
• Zeke had a rushing TD.
• Unlike the Saints, the Cowboys had a return TD.
• Aubrey, as we learned last week, has a range of at least 66, and this game is at home.

My keys for the game

So, checking the stats in this situation is kind of difficult as the Saints opened at home against probably the worst team in the NFL while we opened on the road against a very good defense. However, I think this should be a good game. If we are to win, here are my top 3 keys to the game.

• One, we need to commit less penalties. We committed far too many penalties last week for my liking. Beating the Saints means we need to limit that.
• Second, we need to clamp down on their WRs. We did a great job of this against the Browns, but Carr is a better QB than Watson is. I think Zimmer's defence is good, and I think we have the secondary advantage on their WRs.
• Third, stop Kamara, our run defence last year was bad. It looked better last week with Zimmer's stamp on it. We need to make sure we stop Kamara. He's still a good back, and we need to stop him.

I think we are a better team than the Saints. We should be able to run it on them. I think our secondary has an advantage on their offense, and I think our special teams is superior. However, we cannot beat ourselves. If we play with proper discipline against them, I think we should beat the Saints.

The Ain't are going to march home with a big L. Cowboys should have their way ALL GAME LONG!

 

[TWOK11]

I think Derek Carr is a good football player though. Depending on the day he can be a top 10
Guy.

He’s absolutely a quality NFL starting QB and definitely in the top half of current starters. But his record against teams that finish the year above .500 is abysmal, and he has like three career wins ever against teams that made the playoffs in the year he beat them. He’s no better than Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Fair enough, thanks for taking the effort to write it.

Yw bud

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I think Allen is a very good coach. Underestimated in my opinion. NO has a stout defense and it looks like their offense got revved up last week. They are a borderline playoff team. Clearly Dallas on the road is a big step up in competition for them but I hope Dallas doesn’t sleep on them. We know the Cowboys are capable of throwing in clunkers.

The other thing to keep in mind is this may very well not be the last time we see the Saints this season. I think there is a real chance we see them in the playoffs.

 

[MRV52]

I really think we will lay a whopping to the Saints. They are so overrated with beating a Carolina team that is the worst in the NFL. Carolina's front four sucks and didn't make Carr uncomfortable. Zimmer is going to throw all kinds of schemes at them, they won't know what hit them. When has Kamara ever gashed us? Alvin Kamara has had 28 carries for 105 yards in 2 games versus the Cowboys in his career. Relax and watch us decimate the Saints.