Saints Slam the Rams: The Good, Bad, and FANTASTIC
By Bob Rose
Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) catches a touchdown over New Orleans Saints cornerback B.W. Webb (28) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
THE BAD: THE SAINTS “2-MINUTE” DEFENSE
For as much progress as the Saints defense has made in the last month and a half; they might still have the WORST “crunch time” defense in the entire NFL.
As stated previously, after the opening drive the New Orleans defense held the Rams completely in check (the 3rd Ram TD was set up by a Drew Brees sack-fumble setting up a short field).
Then Los Angeles got the ball with a little more than 3 minutes left in the half, and drove through the New Orleans defense like they were being led by, well, Drew Brees himself.
This was a defensive breakdown reminiscent of the end of half and end game failures against Oakland, both Carolina games, Denver; along with failed attempts to stop game clinching first downs against Kansas city and last week against the Panthers.
Simply stated, championship teams MAKE plays in crunch time, not give them up with alarming regularity. It’s a reason why New Orleans is 5-6, and not 8-3 or even 9-2.