The New Orleans Saints came out of their first loss of the season, 15-12 to Philadelphia, with notable bumps and bruises, including center Erik McCoy’s groin injury which required surgery and a trip to injured reserve.
Losing the best offensive lineman is a huge blow to the line, but there's no time for lament and no extension of pity. The Saints (2-1) play the Falcons (1-2) at noon Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the Falcons would love nothing more than to pile on.
The Saints know this will be a tough, emotion-filled game. Here are a few ways in which they can prevail:
1. ATTACK THE 6-1
The Eagles had success stopping the Saints, and especially the running game, using a 6-1 defensive alignment (three defensive linemen, two edge rushers and a linebacker on the edge) to limit the Saints to 89 rushing yards on 29 carries. The Falcons also will use it, because why wouldn't they? Alvin Kamara's readiness for the Saints (285 yards and four touchdowns on 61 carries, 132 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions) is paramount because he remains the top offensive option for New Orleans. Looks like he'll be ready, and Taysom Hill returns from his chest injury to batter the defense a few times to loosen it up. A better run game will lead to a better offense.
2. LINE UP
New Orleans' line has had a week to adapt to life without McCoy. Life comes at you fast, and even faster in professional sports, so the fact is whomever lines up at center (possibly Shane Lemieux) and right guard (possibly Landon Young, with Cesar Ruiz out) have to be prepared and effective if this offense is going to get back on track after a 12-point, 219-yard showing against the Eagles. Protecting quarterback Derek Carr (sacked once, hit four times, hurried at least another 10 while 14 passes for just 142 yards) is at the top of the list, and that may require chip assistance from tight ends and backs.
3. ELIMINATE CHUNKS
Two chunk plays – a 65-yard touchdown run and a 61-yard catch and run – did in the Saints' defense against the Eagles. Otherwise, it was a sterling performance that included two forced turnovers, two fourth-down stops and no points allowed for three quarters. That kind of effort is what New Orleans needs Sunday. Coming off an Achilles reparation surgery, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is a more stationary target nowadays and that should bode well for a defense that already has 11 sacks (three each by defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and defensive end Carl Granderson). Applied pressure should produce opportunities to add to the team's five interceptions (Tyrann Mathieu has a pick in back-to-back games). Also, it's important to remember Atlanta likely will be missing two starting offensive linemen, center Drew Dalman (injured reserve) and right tackle Kaleb McGary.
4. BIJON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR
Harassing the quarterback is nice, but that only happens if you can stop the run. Subtracting the 65-yard touchdown run, the Eagles still ran for 107 yards on 24 carries and the Saints can't allow that kind of production from Falcons running back Bijon Robinson. Linebacker Demario Davis generally is counted on for this, but with his tweaked hamstring preventing him from playing, Pete Werner and Willie Gay will have to fill gaps when the defensive linemen do their jobs and cornerback support (Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor) out wide will be crucial.
5. BE SPECIAL
Special teams can be huge in tight games, and this one could be close. Special teams ace J.T. Gray blocked a punt against the Eagles; don't be surprised if New Orleans goes after one against Atlanta. Blake Grupe has made all seven field-goal attempts, including two from 50-plus yards. Keep that in mind.
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