Interesting...some here point to 8-0 the moment we points out some flaws we have in our game.
saintsalive comes on here with a 6-1 record and points out flaws in the New Orleans team. How dare he! lol
Anyway great perspective. We have our issues, even as an undefeated. Frankly, in the NFL today, all teams have flaws...the cap makes it difficult to have it all.
Goff has progressed significantly from 2017. He has more poise, not checking down as much (which reflects in Gurley's receiving #'s) and is throwing into tighter windows. Gurley is like Ingram and Kamara in one player. Our OL is playing great but probably coming off their worst game. We missed Kupp but are fortunate to get him back. While he was out Reynolds did a fine job stepping in but he isn't "the ol' reliable"...that Linus sleeping blanket like Kupp is. We have no TE's so there is no need to worry about that part of the game. We've struggled in the red zone but we make up for some of it by getting there more than most teams. The red zone part of our game scares me when we play teams like New Orleans and in a couple weeks the Chiefs.
Defensively, while we haven't given up a lot of points overall, due to in part playing three pathetic teams, we do give up yards. Marcus Peters has been torched regularly in part because of injury and in part because he gambles. Teams can take advantage of us over the middle of the field. Our run defense is hampered by lousy edge play and a suspect LB corps. In this game, Kamara scares the bejeez out of me. We really have no one to match up against him. We will get pressure and you will once again get to meet Mr. Aaron Donald. He will find his way to Brees up the middle. I'm not certain Fowler has much impact this game. The big thing our defense does, even though teams seem to move the ball against us...they come up with big plays...big timely plays.
Special teams...well...we take no back seat here. Zuerlein is healthy again and is money on FGs with a big big leg. Hekker has punted little which has hurt him. Last week, he punted more and he got better as the game went on. He is a guru at punting the ball inside the opponents 20 or 10 giving them a long field to cover. Last week, his punt downed at the 1 led to a safety and turned the game around. Our coverage and return teams are playing really well.
I agree with the score. I see both teams in the 30s. But...I wouldn't doubt if defense or special teams is the determining factor in the game.
