New Orleans Saints: Expect another quiet week from Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas did not have a huge game in the New Orleans Saints’ win in Week 3 and fans should expect more of the same in Week 4.

The New Orleans Saints had a great team win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. It was the first full game without Drew Brees under center and Teddy Bridgewater went in and did something that not a lot of quarterbacks can do: beat the Seahawks at home.

It wasn’t a perfect game and Bridgewater did not necessarily light up the stat sheets, but he did enough to manage the game and let his team get the win.

This included getting the help of two non-offensive touchdowns, one being a punt return and one being a fumble recovery. It also included a massive day from Alvin Kamara, perhaps the best game of his career, in which he was the motor for the Saints’ offense.

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The one thing that it did not consist of, which has turned into a regular occurrence for the New Orleans Saints, was a big day from Michael Thomas. Thomas did not have a terrible day, but he did take the predictable step back that he would with Bridgewater under center.

Thomas still recorded a touchdown but snagged just 54 receiving yards on five receptions. Again, not an awful day, but certainly not as good as he can be. It is okay, though, as these games will happen here and there for even the best receiver.

That is an important philosophy to have as Thomas is primed to have another slow game in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Thomas is going to have the same natural setbacks that occur with Bridgewater under center. However, the Saints are coming up against a Cowboys’ team that had just two sacks in the first two games, so Bridgewater might get a decent pocket to go to work.

The important thing to note is that Thomas is coming up against Byron Jones, who is easily a top-10 cornerback in the NFL and is arguably even in the top-five. Jones has been phenomenal as a transitioned safety and will give Thomas fits all night.

Jones ranks seventh in coverage rating and fifth in catch-rate allowed, allowing just 40 percent of targets sent his way to be caught (via Player Profiler). The battle between him and Thomas, who is known for his efficiency in hauling in his targets, is going to be a fun one to watch.

But again, that is where the Bridgewater factor comes in. Brees definitely would challenge Jones and would make throws into small pockets to get the ball to Thomas. Bridgewater might stay away from that matchup altogether, not wanting to risk the chance of an interception.

Thomas will absolutely be targeted but I would not be surprised to see Tedd Ginn Jr. get the most targets and have the biggest game of the receivers.

Most likely, though, it will be Alvin Kamara who does most of the work on the offensive side of the ball again. Either way, don’t expect a big night out of Michael Thomas.