The New Orleans Saints dropped to 2-9 on the season after a disappointing loss to NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons. The Saints’ offense totaled just three points on the day, with only the defense finding
the end zone for the black and gold. New Orleans will now travel to Miami to take on the 4-7 Dolphins.
Up: RB Devin Neal
The Saints’ running back room has been thin since the injury to Kendre Miller against the Chicago Bears, and now an injury to star running back Alvin Kamara only makes things more concerning. Kamara suffered a knee injury against the Falcons, leaving in the first half and not returning for the remainder of the game. Rookie running back Devin Neal took over the majority of carries for the Saints’ offense.
Neal didn’t have a great day on the ground, finishing with just 18 yards on seven attempts, but he made an impact as a receiver. The sixth round pick caught 5 passes for 43 yards on 7 targets. It’s not only his ability to make plays with that ball that makes him stand out, however. The rookie running back has been a pleasant surprise in pass protection and isn’t afraid to take on a block. There have been some instances of Neal getting beaten, but he has earned the opportunity for more playtime.
Down: HC Kellen Moore
Despite their win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10, the perception of Kellen Moore’s playcalling remained the same: points were left on the table. There have been too many instances of the Saints’ offense being within three yards of the goalline and ending the drive with no points or settling for a chipshot field goal.
The Saints’ offense started the day badly, fumbling a handoff on their second offensive snap. On their next drive, wide receiver Mason Tipton would take a kick return 75 yards and set the offense up in perfect scoring position. Despite starting the drive at the nine-yard line, the New Orleans offense would lose yards and eventually have to settle for a field goal attempt that kicker Blake Grupe would miss. The Saints would have another missed field goal attempt later in the game, along with two instances of turnovers on downs.
Kellen Moore will get another year as head coach for the Saints, and I believe that is the right move. But he is running one of the worst offenses in the league up to this point of the season, and there’s a lot that could be said about his decision-making and play-calling.
Down: K Blake Grupe
By the time this goes up, there’s likely been some sort of announcement on the Saints’ decision with kicker Blake Grupe. The third-year kicker missed two kicks on Sunday, with neither being very demanding for an NFL kicker (38 and 47 yards). With his misses in the loss, Grupe has fallen to the 39th-ranked FG% in the NFL, despite only 31 other NFL teams.
The Saints are bringing in a couple of kickers for tryouts this week, including controversial pick Justin Tucker. It’s clear the leeway Grupe was once given has finally been cut short, and he truthfully shouldn’t be the starter for New Orleans going forward. Rather, it’s one of the kickers the team brought in for a tryout, or second-year kicker Charlie Smyth, who’s been stashed on the practice squad. The black and gold need to make a change at kicker.
