Saints Pre-Halloween Slashing of Cards Should Terrify NFL Opponents

These New Orleans Saints are a formidable beast. One that could be a Halloween nightmare for the rest of the NFL that lasts through February.

Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook, USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints won their sixth straight game with a 31-9 thrashing of the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday.  The Saints moved to 7-1 with the victory, and once again dominated in all three phases of the game.  New Orleans held a 510-237 advantage in total yardage, and held the Cardinals to only three field goals. 

Oct 27, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) for a turn over on downs during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sportsmore

The Saints defense fell victim to some Arizona trickery early on, when Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray found tight end Charles Clay for a 47-Yd gain on a flea-flicker pass.  The New Orleans defense held up in the red zone though, holding the visitors to just a field goal.  After that coordinator Dennis Allen's unit put the Cardinals in a vice, holding them to just 190 yards the rest of the game. 

It was the fifth consecutive game that the Saints held their opponent to less than 260 yards, and the third time this season they held the opposition to 10 points or less.  The defense sacked the mobile Murray three times, and kept him on the run all afternoon. They would mix blitzes and coverage drops well, frustrating the rookie signal caller and holding him to just 57% completion percentage. 

Rookie defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had an outstanding game against future Hall of Fame wideout Larry Fitzgerald, helping hold him to only 2 catches for 8 yards.  The rest of the secondary, headed by another standout game from both Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple, provided stifling coverage and eliminated big plays. The New Orleans front seven again squashed an opponent's running attack, this time holding Arizona to only 40 rushing yards, and their running backs to just 8 yards on 8 attempts.   The New Orleans defense has been a House of Horrors for opponents over the last six weeks.  Perhaps more frightening for the rest of the NFL, however, might be the monster that the Saints offense is evolving into. 

Oct 27, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

New  Orleans welcomed quarterback Drew Brees back to the lineup after a six-week absence following thumb surgery. Brees looked as sharp as he ever has against Arizona, completing 34 of 43 throws for 373 yards and three touchdowns.  The Saints added 137 yards on the ground, as running back Latavius Murray had his second straight 100 yard outing in relief of the injured Alvin Kamara.  Murray had a touchdown with his 102 yards on the ground, adding another score with his 9 catches for 55 yards. 

The Saints offensive line pulverized the Cardinals defensive front, keeping Brees from being sacked and paving the way for an effective ground assault.  Whomever the Saints quarterback has been has had the luxury of throwing to the most productive wideout in the game; a Freddy Krueger for NFL defensive backs. 

Oct 27, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs past Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter (95) during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports / Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

Michael Thomas was dominant in his much anticipated showdown with Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.  He caught all 11 of his targets for 112 yards and a touchdown, and continues to be a nightmare to secondaries.  Thomas has now caught at least five passes in 13 consecutive games, and leads the league with 73 receptions for 875 yards.  The 510 yards the Saints put on Arizona were the most since their opening week victory over the Houston Texans, Brees' last full game. 

They did it not only without Kamara, but also without tight end Jared Cook and wideout Tre'Quan Smith.  Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played very well while winning his five starts in relief of Brees.  This Saints offense is different with their Hall of Fame quarterback back at the helm, and will undoubtedly look different over the second half of the season. A terrifying scenario for opposing defenses. 

Oct 27, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is pressured Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Brees spread the ball around to nine different receivers on Sunday, expertly progressing through his reads.  New Orleans has a bye this coming week, and should get Kamara, Cook, and possibly Smith back for their November 10th game against Atlanta. Murray has fully familiarized himself with the Saints offense, which should only exaggerate Kamara's versatility.  Ted Ginn, Jr. has been more productive with Brees under center.   Taysom Hill is becoming more comfortable as a receiver, and before his ankle injury Jared Cook was showing why the team invested so highly in him. 

Brees has the best offensive line in football to protect him, and his 40-year-old arm will be fresh down the stretch.  He also has the best wideout in the NFL and is a master at making an average receiver productive.  The New Orleans offense will operate at full capacity when they return from their bye week for the first time this season.  That, coupled with a defense that's playing elite football, and solid special teams make them a horror for the entire NFL.  For the rest of the league, it might be a nightmare that runs past Halloween into February and Super Bowl LIV.