The New Orleans Saints aren’t in a great place. They’re set to kick off their Week 3 road game against the Seattle Seahawks without starting quarterback Drew Brees, fresh off the heels of an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams a week ago. Things could certainly be better.
But there’s reasons for optimism. This team has the resume and the talent to line up against any other team in the league on any day of the week. Here’s our bold predictions for what may happen when the Saints and Seahawks square up on Sunday.
1. Teddy Bridgewater throws for a career-high passing yards mark
Bridgewater’s career-best passing total came back in 2015, in a late-season loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He completed 25 of his 36 pass attempts (69.4%) to gain 335 yards, and threw 7-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace. The offense Bridgewater commands now is much more potent than any he’s ever enjoyed, whether in the NFL or in college at Louisville. It’s time for Saints coach Sean Payton to take the training wheels off and let Bridgewater go win a big game to set the tone early in his stint as the Saints’ (temporary) new starting quarterback.
2. The Saints defense sacks Russell Wilson five times
Wilson was dropped for a sack eight times in his first two games, despite dropping back to pass just 63 times. He’s still one of the league’s most-elusive quarterbacks, but a Saints pass rush that’s started the year hot. Going into Week 3, they led the NFL in sacks (9) but currently trail the Jacksonville Jaguars (13), who played their game already on Thursday Night Football. The return of starting defensive tackle David Onyemata should continue to pay off, complimenting a strong edge rush led by Cameron Jordan, Trey Hendrickson, and Marcus Davenport.
3. The Seahawks offense is held to fewer than 100 rushing yards
The Seahawks coaching staff’s obsession with running the football is well-documented, and it gives the Saints an opportunity to gain an edge over them. If the Saints can bottle up the Seahawks running game and force them into frequent third-and-long situations, making opportunities to get after Wilson, they can dictate the pace of the game. A new variable in play is the availability of number-two running back Rashaad Penny, who injured his hamstring Friday and is questionable to play. If he can’t go, the Seahawks don’t have anyone to lean on after their starter, Chris Carson.
4. Taysom Hill gains 150 all-purpose yards
Things are going to get weird for Hill very, very quickly on Sunday. Now whether that weirdness turns into brilliance or fades into frustration is up in the air. Hill’s best usage has come as a runner, but he’s shown growth as a passer and caught the first Saints touchdown pass of the year just two weeks ago. Look for Payton to move Hill all over the field in an attempt to use his athleticism in a volume never seen before; Hill gained 39 and 35 rushing yards in his two best games last year, but he might need to double that total against Seattle.
5. New Orleans escapes Seattle with a win
The Saints are backed into a corner. Few experts like their chances, especially with Brees sidelined after hand surgery. But this team isn’t much different from the squad that won 13 games a year ago and made it all the way to the NFC championship game. They’ve got the talent, coaching, and mental toughness to overcome these kinds of adversity, and they could very well rally around a backup quarterback they’ve all spent time talking up to upset the Seahawks and return home as victors.
