Saints Lose to Lions: The Good, Bad, and UNFORGIVABLE
By Bob Rose
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Devin Taylor (98) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
THE BAD: THE SAINTS O-LINE “TAKES THE DAY OFF” AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME
Actually, the term “Human Turnstiles” comes to mind while watching this group make a depleted Detroit defense look invincible yesterday.
Whether it was left guard Senio Kelemete get penalized seemingly every drive, left tackle Andrus Peat making a pass rusher look like Deacon Jones, center Max Unger being pushed back into the hip of his quarterback, or right guard Jahri Evans and right tackle Zach Strief being run around like statues; this unit played easily their worst game of the entire year.
On paper, this Detroit defense was not even close to the same caliber that the Saints had faced in Los Angeles, Carolina, or Denver. Brees was only sacked one time, but was hurried, hit, or heavily rushed on nearly every one of his 44 throws.
New Orleans had only 12 rushing attempts for the entire game. One reason why is that the Saints were playing in a “catch up” mode for the second half. Another was that the line just wasn’t creating running lanes for backs Tim Hightower or Mark Ingram; forcing them to rely solely on the passing attack for any hope of victory.
The awful play of this group was the main culprit in New Orleans matching their lowest point total of the year. The next three games are against Tampa Bay (twice) and Arizona; teams with formidable defenses.
The offensive line must return to the consistency it had shown most of the season prior to this debacle, or this powerful offense will once again be derailed.
Now if all that wasn’t bad enough, then this was the one thing that was truly UNFORGIVABLE…..