The New Orleans Saints were in a tough spot in Week 11. Injuries struck a number of key starters, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore and special teams returner Deonte Harris (each battling hamstring injuries), as well as Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat (sidelined for an extended time with a broken arm). These injuries meant that a number of New Orleans Saints backups had to step up into starting roles, and luckily, they rise to the occasion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s break it down.
Nick Easton in for Andrus Peat
New Orleans knows exactly what they have in Peat — a player that can execute most blocks and maybe get into the Pro Bowl as an alternate. However, Peat’s lengthy injury history (from his broken hand last season, to the broken leg the year before, to enduring ankle issues before that) and now a broken arm this season has kept him far from the discussion of the league’s elite.
Many fans believed that Will Clapp would take over for the injured Peat; however, it would be the veteran Nick Easton who would get the nod. Easton had spent much of the season as a healthy inactive before being called up for the Week 11 matchup with the Buccaneers. It was easy to see how Easton impacted the game, and how the Saints had made the right choice.
After taking six sacks against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, quarterback Drew Brees stayed upright with zero sacks for the entire game against Tampa Bay. A large part of this was due to the fact that Terron Armstead had recovered from his bout with the flu, but credit must be given to Easton for his level of play next to him.
With Peat out for much of the regular season, Easton should be expected to get the majority of snaps at left guard, and it’s possible that the offensive line’s play will improve because of it.
P.J. Williams in for Marshon Lattimore
It was never really any mystery as to how defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was going to handle the loss of his best cornerback. However, the question was always going to be how that solution would hold up to the duo of big-time Buccaneers receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Allen decided to use P.J. Williams in shadow coverage against Mike Evans, while Eli Apple would cover Chris Godwin for the majority of the game. Rookie slot specialist C.J. Gardner-Johnson would then be used in the nickel position to help mitigate the loss of Williams from that position.
The result? Williams limited Evans to four receptions for just 69 yards, and no touchdowns. Allen essentially schemed Evans out of the game, and Williams did an exceptional job at covering one of the best receivers in the league. To top things off, Williams was able to secure one of four interceptions thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston — and he did so in the end zone late in the game, helping to close out the win.
Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill in for Deonte Harris
Harris has been a breakout star for the Saints this year, consistently delivering big returns on both punts and kickoffs. It’s a shame that his rookie season had to hit a delay with this hamstring injury. In his place, the Saints turned to two of their most dynamic players on offense to fill in for him, though results were a little more mixed than might be hoped.
Kamara handled punt returns for the Saints, taking a chance on all three attempts from Buccaneers punter Bradly Pinion. He turned those opportunities into 32 yards of field positioning for the Saints, most of it coming on a 27-yard scamper to set the Saints up at midfield. That possession turned into a 13-play scoring drive that ended with a Jared Cook touchdown catch, consuming 6 minutes and 36 seconds. It all followed a sack on third down to get the Saints defense off of the field, in many ways becoming the ideal play sequence for the Saints.
Things didn’t go so smoothly on kickoffs. The Buccaneers wisely avoided kicking to Hill, who has been dangerous in that area before. But Hill did try to field the first kickoff, which he dropped, recovered, and tried to take out before being stopped for a 12-yard gain. That drive ended with a 44-yard Wil Lutz field goal to give New Orleans an early lead. Hopefully Harris will be able to get back in the saddle soon.
