The New Orleans Saints look to do something they haven’t done this season. Win on the road. They’ll have to do it against (3-4) Carolina in a game would give the winner sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

That’s right. The Saints despite having gone missing for six of the seven games they’ve played are a win away from hope. The rules are in place. Win your division and you’re in the postseason and if the season ended today the Saints have the ninth best record in the NFC and would miss the playoffs. Granted there is a lot of football left to be played with nine games remaining but three of the next four will be in the Superdome a place were as we saw this past Sunday the Saints are more than comfortable playing in.

The Packers enter the game playing solid football thanks in particular quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 18 touchdowns to just one interception before the Saints defense sacked him three times and picked him off twice. Defensively the Saints held Green Bay to field goals and got off the field in third down as the Packers were just 1-7 in third down conversions. It bided time until the Saints offense exploded and played the way we all have been expecting.

Quarterback Drew Brees passed for 311 yards tossed three touchdowns and more importantly did not throw an interception. Running back Mark Ingram carried 24 times for 172 yards to go with a score. Rookie receiver Brandin Cooks shined with nine catches, one being a score and scoring another on a run. It was in short the type of performance that proved we the media did go to practice and not vacation in West Virginia.

This is what this team is capable of as they have the talent. The fourth quarter against Tampa saw this team trust and win with the run. The defense took a step forward in Detroit and against Green Bay put it all together in all three phases. The question now is can they prove it to themselves that they have turned it around.

Carolina is coming off a 13-9 loss at home to Seattle. The Panthers started the season 2-0 but have really failed to play solid football this season. Before giving up just the 13 points to Seattle, Carolina gave up 37 points four times in the previous five games. The team is also having trouble scoring as they were inside the Seahawk red zone three times but came away with six points as they rank 28th in red zone efficiency.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Above anything physical such as defense, offense or a particular player, to me the key above all keys is mental toughness. There is a physical toll for these players being asked to play on a Thursday night. Players say that their bodies will still be sore as they board the plane to Charlotte from the Packers game. Adrenaline and competition will carry most of the players the first half. The second half legs will get heavy and wills are going to be tested. Who wants it more?

THE SAINTS OFFENSE

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was a maestro against the Packers as head coach Sean Payton called a masterful game like a perfect sheet of music. The run game worked opening up the passing game in areas many longed for such as the deep ball.

Payton must call another solid game. Be smart. Carolina enters the game with the league’s 28th rushing defense allowing 135.2 yards per game. The Saints are the NFL’s seventh leading team on the ground picking up 133.0 yards per game. Run the ball coach. Mark Ingram proved that if you feed him he’d reward you. An added bonus is that if you can establish the run you have to imagine a defense fresh from facing the Seahawks on short rest won’t hold up long. Brees has two touchdowns, four interceptions and a 73.1 passer rating in the last two games at Carolina that have been losses.

THE SAINTS DEFENSE 

Sacks and interceptions have been missing from the Saints defense this season. Sunday against Green Bay four sacks and two interceptions took place. The Packers have a much more potent offense than the Panthers. Carolina has rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin and that’s about it. Cover him and you can live with the occasional scamper or big throw from Cam Newton. Newton is streaky and if things don’t go well he’ll let them snowball.

X-FACTORS

Last week on offense I said that WR Brandin Cooks needs to be a primary target of the offense. Brees this week said multiple times that it just happened to be his week due to circumstances in the game. Uhm, it needs to be a game plan. Feed him the ball.

Safety Kenny Vaccaro is my player to keep an eye on for the defense. The last time he was on the field in Carolina he suffered a season ending ankle fracture. Vaccaro’s run plugging ability and big hitting can go a long way into forcing Carolina to become one dimensional and make Newton throw more than he’d want to.

MY TAKE 

I think the Saints for the first time this season played with the confidence that’s been missing in their win against the Packers. The team didn’t do anything special or different. They simply executed and avoided flags. New Orleans is the better team. Avoid an early turnover and the Saints have more playmakers than the Panthers. Saints win 27-17.

 

***Don't forget to tune in to your Saints station in Acadiana -- 97.3 The Dawg! We've got the pre-game starting at 6:30pm with kick-off set for 7:25pm.***

 

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