Mistakes and Pathetic Special Teams May Have Killed Saints Season
By Bob Rose
Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz (3) looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
SPECIAL TEAMS
Simply stated: this unit should cause multiple people to lose their jobs. Kicker Wil Lutz had yet another kick blocked at the end of the first half; and it would have been returned for yet another crushing touchdown, if not for a foolish penalty on Carolina.
The play still led to a Panthers touchdown, turning a potential 13-6 halftime deficit into 20-3 at the break.
The continued low trajectory on kicks by Lutz, along with the ABYSMAL blocking along the right side of the line are both the result of awful coaching by Greg McMahon.
Marcus Murphy continues to show two things: 1) yes he does have breakaway ability, but 2) that ability is completely nullified by his INABILITY to field a kick; either due to bobbles or mind-numbing misjudgment.
Next: Saints 'Winners' and 'Losers' in Loss to the Panthers
If not for the punting abilities of Thomas Morstead, this unit would be the biggest joke in the league.
This loss does not mathematically eliminate the Saints from Playoff contention just yet — but what it does do to the team is put them in a position where they may need to win all six remaining games, and even then are likely still in need of multiple teams to go on a losing streak for them to have a realistic chance.
This team had a great opportunity to put themselves in a position to control their own destiny, yet they only need to look at themselves in the mirror for now nearly giving it all away, in only a span of 2 weeks time……