NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Take One: Dennis Allen’s revenge
The MVP of the Saints- Bears game Sunday wasn’t even a player, it was a coach.
Former Saints head coach and current Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen did a number on the team that fired him midseason last year.
Allen unleashed a fury of Bears defenders on Spencer Rattler early and slammed the door shut on him late forcing four turnovers while also completely erasing the Saints anemic ground attack.
As expected, after the game the Bears gave him the game ball for his dominant effort and the look on Allen’s face said it all. In all my years of covering, I don’t think I ever saw a happier look on his face.
Allen downplayed the revenge factor all week in Chicago and had only great things to say about the organization he spent 15 years at, but clearly this game meant a lot to him.
Take Two: Spencer Rattled
The common narrative surrounding Spencer Rattler this season was ‘he’s not the reason the Saints are losing games.’
That all stopped Sunday.
Rattler looked rattled all game facing the defensive coordinator that drafted him and was a major reason why the Saints suffered their sixth loss of the season. On his second snap of the game, Rattler was stripped of the ball as he was sacked causing his first of four turnovers. He later added three more interceptions.
His first one came on a pass late and behind Mason Tipton. His next one came when he got too greedy and wanted Rashid Shaheed on a broken play. Instead, he overthrew him and was picked off by Kevin Byard. His final one came on a fourth down attempt where he tried to fit the ball in a tight window on 4th down.
The truth is he could have thrown one or two more.
It’s time to have a realistic discussion about Rattler’s true ceiling as a player. Through this seven-game sample size this season, Rattler has ‘not lost’ his way into a 1-6 record. During that time, the offense hasn’t scored twenty or more offensive points since week two. Sunday was the fourth time this season where the Saints have not lead at any point in the game.
Of course, it’s not all his fault. Far from it. However, fifth round picks don’t get unlimited opportunities. In fact, one could argue he has gotten more of an opportunity most quarterbacks get through their first two seasons of their career especially since his current coach didn’t draft him.
There has been zero momentum towards the Saints turning to Tyler Shough so far this season. Is it possible that changes this week?
Take Three: Run Over
As the Bears defense was dominating the Saints offense, their offense stonewalled any potential Saints comeback with some old-fashioned smashmouth football.
Chicago gashed the Saints defense for 222 yards on the ground, most of them between the tackles.
It was not a good effort by a Saints defense that had done fairly well against the run in their last few outings. The worst part was that ground game surged just as the Saints cut the lead to six points.
This part of the defensive operation must improve for this team to have any chance of success.
Take Four: Olave Opportunities
There was just one bright spot in Sunday’s contest. His name was Chris Olave.
Olave seemingly single-handedly got the Saints back in the game with big plays at the end of the second quarter and start of the third.
Down 20-0 and having their worst stretch of the season, Olave broke the offense with a 53-yard catch on a deep post. A few plays later he was in the end zone on a seam pattern.
At the start of the third quarter, Olave found paydirt again on a crossing route to give the Saints life, down 20-14.
Olave finished with five receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns and helped turn an awful game into a competitive one. This was the type of game he needs to have consistently to truly become a #1 wide receiver in the NFL.
Take Five: Other Observations
Tough break on the trick play on 3rd & 20 in the fourth quarter. It was a great call, but it appeared replay got it right as Taysom Hill lateraled the ball forward. The Saints run of good health on offense may have finally ended. Kellen Moore said there was ‘concern’ about Erik McCoy and Kendre Miller’s injuries. Blake Grupe missed his sixth field goal of the season. There’s nothing else that needs to be said about that. Great interception by rookie Quincy Riley. He broke on Caleb Williams’ pass perfectly for the INT.Speaking of Williams, he’s hard to bring down. The Saints multiple chances to do so but only got to him once. However, it’s obvious there are still plenty of erratic parts of his game that he needs to clean up. It doesn’t get much easier for the Saints next week. Tampa Bay and the frontrunner for MVP come to town.
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