Monday Night Key Matchups: Saints Offense vs. Patriots Defense
by HB-NOLA on Nov 26, 2009 11:36 PM CST
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This article turned out to be a bit more difficult to write than I expected for two similar reasons. The Saints offense has more play makers on the field for any given play than many teams have on their entire roster. Similarly, the Patriots 3-4 defense has several play making defenders that change their point of attack frequently, making it difficult to choose three or four players for individual matchups. All the same, I did find a few critical matchups that I think could make or break this game for the Saints. Before getting into individual matchups though, I want to point out (yell, scream, pray, beg, demand) that Payton needs to commit to the running game on Monday like he has never done before. I understand that Drew Brees is the best player on the field. But in this game the Saints rushing attack has a better chance of being consistently more successful than the passing game and needs to be used as more than just a mechanism for closing out games in the second half. Make the jump to find out why.
Saints Offense vs Patriots Defense
Jonathan Goodwin vs Vince Wilfork
The most important position in a 3-4 defense is the nose tackle. And Vince Wilfork is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL. Jonathon Goodwin has been quite good at center this year, but is probably not Pro-Bowl caliber. In most situations, Goodwin will be getting help from the weak side guard - either Jahri Evans or Carl Nicks, depending on where the TE lines up. That said, it is Goodwin's responsibility to knock Wilfork off the line of scrimmage and allow one or both of the guards to get to the second level and make a block on a line backer, especially on 1st down running plays. I don't really know if either side has a distinct advantage here (Goodwin and Wilfork are nearly the same size), and this matchup may be decided by who had their Wheaties on Monday morning.
Reggie Bush vs Adalius Thomas
Will this be Reggie's big game for 2009? It certainly could be. In a 3-4 defense, the OLBs are generally responsible for containment on outside rushing plays. There are vew few if any RBs that can move as well in space as Reggie Bush. Two time Pro-Bowler Adalius Thomas is no slouch either, though he is fairly old at 32 and may have lost some of his quickness. According to the stats, the Patriots have an average rushing defense this year, allowing 109.4 yards/game (14th) and 4.4 yards/carry (20th). On the other hand, they've given up only three rushing TD's all year (2nd only to the Steelers). Payton's commitment to the running game is absolutely critical in this game, and I believe that running Reggie to the outside may offer the best matchup for the Saints. After the Texans signed Mario Williams prior to the 2006 draft and the Saints took Reggie Bush, Payton mentioned how excited he was to start drawing up plays involving both Deuce and Reggie. I want to see those plays now. Play fakes to Pierre Thomas running up the middle with a pitch out to Reggie could tie up the Patriots LBs all day. Watch for them. Of course, Payton is much smarter than me, and hopefully he has something more clever than my suggestions.
Drew Brees vs Leigh Bodden
I almost titled this section "Drew Brees vs Everyone". Drew has thrown TD passes to nine different receivers this year. But the Patriots field a very good secondary, including safeties Brandon Merriweather and Brandon McGowan. They have the 6th ranked passing defense in the league in terms of total yardage, and have given up only one completion over 40 yards all year. Leigh Bodden in particular has been very hot recently, snagging four INT's in the last two games, including one off of Peyton Manning. Bodden will likely be lined up against Marques Colston for most of the game. As always, Colston has the height advantage, but at 6'1" Bodden matches up well against tall receivers. It will be up to Drew to make those ridiculously accurate throws on the back shoulder or up high where only Colston can catch them. Besides Bodden, Drew will have to be very aware of those two very good safeties and avoid getting picked off on sucker plays.
Which matchup for the Saints' offense do you think will be most crucial?
This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
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Nicely done!
Good analysis HB. I think our run game against their defense is the key. As you said, run early and throughout the game, and I think we will be successful. I definitely see Reggie being a big factor in this game, and I believe the coaching staff rested him last week specifically for this reason.
"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake." -- Napoleon Bonaparte
HB really did his homework on this one!!!
A really great bit of research, HB. I know that we keep talking about how Drew has thrown to 9 different receivers and 18 Saints have scored TDs but, lets face it, only one player can have the ball at a time. Your article(s) give some pretty good, if not disturbing, insight on what the Saints will be up against.
Sure, it’s going to be a really tough game but for the first time in my life as a Saints Fan I am uncautiously optomistic. This Saints Team is like no other I have seen, even in ’91.
I gotta’ believe that this is going to be won in the trenches. O lines against D lines slugging it out. The passing is going to be fast and furious on both sides but keep your eye on what’s going on with the big guys with no names. THAT’s where this game is going to be played!
Thanks again for a great article. It made me think. Dammit.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers
by Just 'Nother Day on Nov 27, 2009 12:23 AM CST reply actions
Why?
Why did it make you think dammit? I don’t ever recall thinking of dammit in my life.
"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake." -- Napoleon Bonaparte
by Cajun in CA on Nov 27, 2009 12:25 AM CST up reply actions
You made me think of it again!
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers
by Just 'Nother Day on Nov 27, 2009 1:58 AM CST up reply actions
I doubt anyone guessed
that 10 games into the season, the St. Louis Rams would prove to be the toughest team the Saints would face. Thanks for the kind words JND, but just as ESPN analysts are proven wrong every week, I probably will be too.
Well, I hope I’m not proven too wrong. I really do think that the running game is critical for the Saints. But then again, maybe Payton is thinking that Belichick believes the same thing, and will game plan a deep pass attack early. I really hope he doesn’t do that, though. I want to see the Saints running the ball early and often, like the Broncos did against the Giants tonight.
I have to agree...
This is a year that I’ll never forget. It’s been a terrific year! The running game has to be important in this game… With all the injuries to our secondary on defense. Key people are not 100%. The Saints have to control the clock. The only way to do that is run. However, I’d be happy if the Saints put up 45 against the Patriots and win!
By the way… How many of you long time Saints fans that don’t live in NO have been called ‘bandwagoners’? Pisses me off. I’ve been one of the biggest Saints fans in Texas for 30 years and now when I wear my gear, I get called a ‘jumper’. Jerks.
Who Dat?
Living away from Louisiana
just sucks in every way possible.
WHODAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
off in the woods somewhere...
Same here
Born and raised in Mandeville, LA, been a fan since ‘88 when my dad took me to my frist home game against the 49ers. I’ve lived in San Diego for 10 years now been going to the same Saints/LSU bar for that span of time (owner is an LSU alumni) and still get called a fairweather fan. I keep my Louisiana License just to show peeps I’m not a damn bandwagoner
Cajun at heart......
But have been in CA, MS, VA and finally NC (Navy made me do it). When in Cali, we were in the NFC West, so I heard it from the Niners. When in VA, I heard it from the Skins and Falcons fans. And of course, in NC, I have been chastised by the Panther faithful. BUT, I never stopped cheering for my SAINTS! Had to give up my plates, though, but NOT my jersey! Got picked on for most of that time……but NO MORE!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!
Another SAINTS fan in Panther country!
by SAINTSfaninNC on Nov 28, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Fan
Moved to Nola in 77, then St. Bernard in 81 ish. Married a Chalmation and loved it there. katrina saw fit to move us to Tupelo Ms.. Like a lot of others we made a life where we landed. Is ironic that most of the people in St. Bernard never moved away like most of the population in this country. Took an act of God to up root them. You can take them out of Da Parish but you can’t take the Parish out of Dem. Geaux Saints
Good analysis
Payton has been good this year re: running th ball. I think he will. I also think the short passes to Reggie and Shockey,Dave Thomas will be impt. too.
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
Greetings from Patriot Land!
Just wanted to drop by and say hello and good luck!
Oh, and as a Hofstra University alum, I would like to say that Marques Colston is my boy! He was robbed of the Rookie of the Year award. Young didn’t deserve it.
Beer is good! And stuff!
Colston
Welcome R_ADRAGNA . Colston is the man! What a pick up! I think we will see him explode Mon. Night. Shocky has been awefull quite, Beli-p***k may also get an over dose of him too. Think Coach has been down playing him the last few weeks to keep him under the radar for the Pats looking at film.
GEAUX SAINTS
MNF
No names, but nine offensive and four defensive players for the Saints will have a very productive night. Two of which will make pro bowl plays that everyone will be talking about except ESPN because they only like the PATs. It’s going to be a great Monday night specticle. Belichick already said how the game will be played out just stay tuned.
I’m not a jerk because I think the Pats are great and could very well win. They are well coached and are a class act on and off the field. However, I haven’t seen a hungrier group than this particular Saints team and plus they are fun to watch. I’m a fan of the game as much as my team and I see more than just a lot of talent on the Saints. They are playing with conviction and they are fed up with their organization being a punching bag from commintators even when they are winning. Every player is running their routes as if they are the go to guy, which is why Brees is able to spread the ball so well and that our running game has been so successful.
All these so called experts are in for another professional let down by the Saints again. They will win Monday night in all three phases of the game. Oh! The Vikings will be playing in the Super Dome if they make it that far and yes I’m tired of hearing about the 1972 Dolphins. I actually wanted the Pats to beat the Giants in the Super Bowl. I’d love to see the Saints do that for oh so many reasons!
Saints all the way!
Ninth Warder
I am not trying to be derogatory
and it seems like the Patriots have a lot of decent players and even Moss has behaved himself- he was a real non-class act in the past on other teams. But, for you to tout them as such a class act, well let’s not include Belicheck and the other coaches who were involved and complicent in that scandal him, ok? After all it’s not debatable that he cheated, he got caught and fessed up. Cheaters are not class acts.
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
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