The New Orleans Saints special teams unit has been a strength of the team throughout the 2019 season, and they created another big play early in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears.
With the Bears set to punt from their own 27-yard line on the opening drive, Saints defensive back J.T. Gray managed to knife through the Chicago line and block the ball as Bears punter Pat O’Donnell stepped up to kick it away. The ball bounced and rolled into the end zone, where long snapper Patrick Scales was penalized for nudging it out of bounds before the Saints could fall on it for a touchdown. The play resulted in a safety, giving New Orleans an early 2-0 lead on the road.
This is the latest example of how well the Saints have been playing in all phases of the game, stepping up on defense and special teams while the offense adjusts to (temporary) life without Drew Brees at quarterback. Between shutdown coverage on opposing punts and kickoffs — and critical blocks like these — as well as some crafty moves by rookie returns specialist Deonte Harris, the Saints are forcing the teams playing against them to prepare for a tough go of it all day long.
However, Gray was injured later when he ended up at the bottom of a pile of defenders. Another Saints special teams ace, cornerback Patrick Robinson, pulled up lame with a leg injury on a later snap. The Saints have activated rookie safety Saquan Hampton for this game against the Bears, his first appearance this season, so they won’t be lacking for options in that area.
