The New Orleans Saints have hope – however faint.
The pulse isn't as strong as they'd like, as New Orleans (4-8) prepares to face the Giants (2-10) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But the opportunity to win the NFC South Division is there, and it'll remain alive if the Saints can win their third game of the last four and extend New York's losing streak to eight games.
Here are a few things that might help:
1. FORGE AHEAD
The Giants are the lowest scoring team in the NFL, at 15.3 points per game. Job One is to score early and put pressure on an offense that has scored less than 20 points in eight games this season. New Orleans hasn't been prolific itself, at 23 points per game, which is right along the lines of what the Giants allow (23.3). But the pressure that will be applied with an early lead should pay dividends against a New York offense that appears to have lost a bit of direction.
2. CARR MAX
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been sacked twice and hasn't thrown an interception in four games since returning from an oblique injury, while completing 68 percent of his passes and throwing six touchdowns. The Saints need that level of efficiency Sunday. The forecast is for a high of 50 degrees with wind blowing around 10 mph and if conditions remain that way, it won' t be much of a deterrent for the Saints' offense. And defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (team-leading nine sacks) is out for the season, though Brian Burns (six sacks) is around to help generate the pressure. New Orleans needs a receiver to step up opposite Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has four touchdowns among his eight receptions. He's a marked man; Kevin Austin Jr. provided some production against the Rams, and it possibly could be an impactful day for tight ends Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson.
3. HEAVY LAYS THE HEAD
Offensively, the Saints have leaned on running back Alvin Kamara all season and Sunday will be no different, especially now that Taysom Hill has been lost for the season. He'll be marked even more than MVS, but the Giants allow 146 rushing yards per game (fourth-most in the league) and have given up 156 per game in the last three, even including 122 allowing in their last game, against Dallas. Kamara's 894 rushing yards is 39 yards short of setting his single-season high and 106 away from reaching 1,000 for the first time in his career. Jamaal Williams probably will provide the relief, but it could be an A.K. day.
4. GET THE RED OUT
New Orleans managed to address its explosive-plays-allowed issue against the Rams by giving up just one in the game (a 46-yard pass). It now must tighten up in the red zone again. After turning away Atlanta and Cleveland a combined three times in four red-zone trips, the Rams scored touchdowns on all three red zone attempts and that was a major wound in the 21-14 loss. The preference would be to keep the Giants from driving that far, but if it happens, the Saints have to get off the field with field goal attempts or a turnover.
5. FROM THE GROUND UP
New York's quarterback will be Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock, who have passed for 189 (DeVito) and 187 (Lock) yards in the last two games, since Daniel Jones was demoted and released. Regardless, the Giants probably will turn heavily to the run; rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has 619 rushing yards and averages five yards per carry. Can't see why the Giants wouldn't lean on him against a Saints defense fresh off allowing 156 rushing yards to the Rams.
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