FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Points were exhausting to come via for the Saints and the Patriots.
Over the primary 4 weeks, every workforce has scored 20 issues handiest as soon as. They input Sunday’s matchup ranked within the backside 1/3 of the league in issues in step with sport. New Orleans (2-2) is averaging 15.5, tied for twenty fifth within the NFL. New England (1-3) ranks thirtieth at 13.8 issues.
It’s a significant fall-off for offenses as soon as led via Tom Brady and Drew Brees, who rank first and 2d all-time in landing passes.
This latest assembly will characteristic a third-year quarterback in Mac Jones who has displayed handiest minimum development beneath new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Jones understands he wishes to jump again from his worst efficiency of the season. He threw two interceptions, together with a pick-6, and had a fumble returned for a landing in ultimate week’s loss to Dallas. He used to be in the long run benched for Bailey Zappe.
Jones is assured he can go back to shape.
“Confidence is something that comes from years of practice, and it grows over time,” he stated. “I think that’s what I have to look back on, is I’ve played well at times and I just have got to be more consistent. I know it’s there.”
The Saints are likewise hoping to see much more from veteran Derek Carr. New Orleans has controlled simply 4 offensive touchdowns, its fewest via 4 video games since 1975.
New Orleans’ most up-to-date loss to Tampa Bay additionally noticed its streak of eleven consecutive video games of maintaining warring parties to 20 or fewer issues finish.
While Carr stated the Saints don’t seem to be taking part in to the extent they anticipated, he stated he is leaning on the truth that he is been via more difficult occasions.
Carr pointed to his Raiders workforce beginning 0-10 all the way through his rookie season in 2014. “This,” he stated, “is not that.”
“This is football. It’s tough. It’s hard,” Carr stated. “Your back’s against the wall a little bit. What are you going to do about it? You going to fight? Are you going to quit? And so, I think we’re finding out a lot about our guys this week.”
CHASING 300
The Patriots’ 38-3 loss to the Cowboys used to be the worst of Bill Belichick’s 29-year training occupation.
It additionally denied him a possibility to sign up for Don Shula and George Halas as the one coaches in NFL historical past with 300 regular-season wins.
He’ll get his 2d shot towards the Saints, towards whom he has a 5-2 file.
STUMBLING AND BUMBLING
The Saints reasonable 87.5 yards speeding in step with sport, which ranks twenty sixth within the NFL. Improving that quantity has turn into some extent of emphasis for New Orleans’ beleaguered offensive line, which additionally has allowed 15 sacks.
“We haven’t given people a reason to respect the run,” guard James Hurst stated. “So, that’s a position we’re in and that’s something that we obviously have to get better if we’re going to be an effective offense.”
The go back of Alvin Kamara from suspension in Week 4 introduced a small measure of hope. Kamara rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries towards Tampa Bay, a 4.6-yard reasonable towards a protection that ranks 8th within the NFL towards the run.
RED-ZONE WOES
The Saints entered the week ranked twenty third in yards in step with sport (285.3) even after managing lower than 200 ultimate week. The larger drawback for the Saints has been stalling out inside of their warring parties’ 20-yard line.
They have tried 10 box targets, 9 of that have been made via rookie kicker Blake Grupe, who’s the workforce’s main scorer.
New Orleans’ red-zone conversion price of 33.3% (4 of 12) ranks ultimate within the NFL.
Even suffering New England has a a long way awesome red-zone good fortune price of 62.5%.
“Everything happens faster in the red zone, and so the attention to detail has to be much improved,” Saints trainer Dennis Allen stated. “That’s what it’s all about down there is being able to play fast, make quick decisions and be extremely detailed in terms of where you’re supposed to be at and when you’re supposed to be there.”
BIG HOLES
The Patriots might be lacking their most efficient participant on protection with linebacker Matt Judon sidelined indefinitely after present process surgical procedure on his biceps. Judon suffered the damage overdue in New England’s loss at Dallas ultimate week.
He led the Patriots with 4 sacks via 4 video games.
Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez additionally most probably might be sidelined after injuring his shoulder towards Dallas. Gonzalez has a sack and interception and used to be named the league’s rookie defensive participant of the month for September.
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