NFL: Analyzing the Monday Night Game – Pats at Saints

Posted on | November 30, 2009 | No Comments

The media is really hyping the Monday night game this week. There is some reason for the hype too. The Saints are undefeated and the Patriots come into the game looking to knock them off. Not only are the pats pretty much one of the top teams in the league every year, they also don’t want to allow the Saints to be the second team to go 16-0 in the regular season. Of course the Pats are the only team in history to go 16-0. (The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 14-0 and finished perfect at 17-0.)

But this game might wind up being a lot more hype than the media is expecting. You see, I don’t know how the Patriots are going to stop the Saints offense. They just aren’t good enough. There only chance to keep New Orleans under 30 – and possibly under 40 points – is to get at least 3 turnovers. Other than that, the Saints should be lighting up the scoreboard pretty good.

I know the Pats will be able to put up some points too. In fact, the Pats only chance to win this game is to score a lot of points. But the Saints defense is much improved this year. Under their new defensive coordinator, Greg Williams, the Saints have really been able to play great defense. But their defense is made even better with all the turnovers they’re able to generate. If the Pats can protect the ball then they will have some success.

In the end, I see the Pats putting up maybe 27 points on the Saints. But I see the Saints putting up at least 38 points. That’s actually a pretty good score. We’ll go with 38-27.

But we’ll also say this: This game will tell a lot about both of these teams. We’ll find out if the Saints are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and we’ll also see if the Pats are maybe a little better than just a good, middle-of-the-road NFL team.

Related posts:

1. NFL: What we Learned from Pats at Saints
2. NFL: Previewing the Monday Night Match-Up: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
3. NFL: What will the Saints and the Colts Do?
4. NFL: Saints and Cowboys Get Set to Battle
5. NFL: Analyzing the Best Teams at the Beginning of December

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