Every Thursday right here you can read Inside the Dome, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Saints/the NFL as a whole, break down the Black and Gold, and talk about where things stand in the shield. In this week’s edition, the Saints got the job done against Carolina on Monday Night Football, and next up will be a road trip to Green Bay:
It certainly was not pretty for New Orleans on Monday night, but the Black and Gold are 2-0. And and as they say, a win is a win and they all count the same. We talked about it in preseason, but one thing that will work to the Saints benefit all season long is the fact that they have what was ranked as the league’s easiest schedule.
Tennessee’s offense was dreadful in week one, and somehow, Carolina’s might have been even worse. Despite having #1 pick Bryce Young at QB, the Panthers very well may have one of the worst rosters in football and predictably struggled all night against a very good Saints defense.
While the final score read 20-17 due to a late touchdown and two-point conversion for the Panthers, the result of the game was never really in doubt.
The offense for New Orleans appears to still be a work in progress. Derek Carr struggled in this one, going 21 of 36 with 228 yards passing, no touchdowns, and a very ugly interception. Notre Dame undrafted free agent running back Tony Jones Jr., who was promoted from the practice squad, scored both touchdowns for the Saints in the win.
Alvin Kamara should help things tremendously for the Saints when he returns from his three game suspension after this week.
Next up for New Orleans is a road trip to Green Bay. The Packers are 1-1 following a 1-point loss in Atlanta to Desmond Ridder and the Falcons.
Jordan Love has showed some promise for the Packers. Over the first two weeks, Love has thrown for nearly 400 yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions after entering the season with major question marks as to how he would perform in the first season of the post-Aaron Rodgers era.
The Packers are favored by just two in this one, and ultimately I think the line will prove true and this game will be very close.
If the Saints can force Love into making a couple of rookie mistakes, I like their chances in this one. But Derek Carr and the offense need to be better than what they have showed over the first two weeks as well.
Prediction: Saints 19, Packers 14
