Bonjour, Saints fans. The New Orleans Saints have arrived in Paris for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France, the first NFL game ever played in France, and head coach Kellen Moore walked WWL listeners through the plan for the week.
New Orleans packed a 2-4 record and some momentum after a 34-27 win over the New York Giants. It also packed some bad habits, and the Saints nearly blew a 34-10 lead on Sunday because of a couple of them. Here are four we hope got left at baggage claim.
1. First quarters that go nowhere
The Saints have scored six points in the first quarter all season. They’ve been shut out in the opening period in five of six games, while opponents have put up 41 first-quarter points against them. New Orleans trailed Detroit 21-0 in the third quarter of the opener before rallying, and it fell behind 10-0 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Tyler Shough and the offense have shown they can move the ball once they get going, especially in the no-huddle. They can’t spot Pittsburgh a two-score lead and expect to dig out of it again.
2. Turnovers in bunches
New Orleans has turned it over 12 times in six games, including four giveaways in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and three each against the Lions and Vikings. Shough dropped seven spots in one set of QB rankings as the turnovers piled up. He didn’t throw an interception against the Giants, and that’s the version the Saints need in Paris.
3. A run defense that bends too easily
Stephen Lew - Imagn Images
Opponents are averaging 138 rushing yards a game against New Orleans. The Atlanta Falcons ran for 205 in a 45-24 win at the Caesars Superdome, and the Vikings and Lions both topped 150. Holding the Giants to 84 rushing yards Sunday was a step forward, but Pittsburgh will test that again.
4. Missed tackles and soft finishes
The Saints missed 10 tackles against the Giants, according to PFF, and linebacker Danny Stutsman had four of them. After Moore pulled starters with a 24-point lead, New York scored 17 points in the final seven minutes and turned a blowout into a one-score game. Opponents have scored 57 fourth-quarter points against New Orleans this season, and the Saints can’t count on a 24-point cushion at Stade de France.
A win would send the Saints into their bye at 3-4 and keep the NFC South conversation alive. If they bring these four habits along, it’ll be a long flight home.
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