5 questions for the Saints before Week 13 - Will the real Taysom Hill please stand up?

In Week 13, the New Orleans Saints are travel to Georgia to face the division rival Atlanta Falcons, facing the Falcons for the second time in two weeks. If the Saints could wind up sweeping the season series, and if the Chicago Bears can beat the Detroit Lions, your New Orleans Saints would be the first NFC team to clinch a playoff berth.

Here are the biggest questions I have for the team heading into Sunday’s game:

1. How much of last week’s performance was on Taysom? There’s no other way to say it: Taysom Hill appeared to struggle last week against the Denver Broncos. After the game, Sean Payton came out and said that the gameplan changed and Taysom was told to be more careful with the ball, but even still, Taysom’s execution looked off last week after impressing in his first start against the Falcons. Which version will we see this week?
2. Does Marcus Davenport play? The Saints defense slowly began to improve with the return of Marcus Davenport who missed the early portion of the year due to injury. Davenport was a late add to the injury report yesterday with concussion symptoms, so if he can’t play, it would be a huge loss.
3. Who returns kicks? Deonte Harris is hurt. Ty Montgomery is hurt. Taysom Hill is playing quarterback. Alvin Kamara is too valuable to this offense (but more on him later). Without those four, could the Saints be left with the uninspiring Austin Carr on special teams?
4. Will the offensive line hold up? The Saints were without their entire left side of their offensive line last week, but Andrus Peat could be returning this week. Terron Armstead, on the other hand, is still on the Covid list and expected to miss this game. Taysom tends to hold on to the ball too long, so protection will be key, especially on Taysom’s blind side.
5. What about Alvin Kamara? After Taysom Hill took over at quarterback, Alvin Kamara has seen a huge drop in his production. It’s not that Kamara’s efficiency has dropped per se, but his usage rate has just fallen off a cliff. Kamara has caught a total of one pass for negative two yards in the last two games combined. If the Saints want to sweep the Falcons, they’re going to need a big game from AK.

So those are the things I’m looking at in the game. What about you? What are you looking at specifically in this game? Something different? Tell me in the comments. Send me presents. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, on Instagram at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, follow us on Instagram at @SaintsCSC and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel.