The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won 13 games and finished with the best record in the NFL. They looked primed for a collision course with the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, but they suffered a devastating and controversial loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, putting an end to their dreams.
Now, the Saints are entering 2019 full of hope and with redemption on their minds, and they certainly have the talent to make it right back to where they were this past year.
But does New Orleans have enough to finally make it over the hump this coming season?
With Drew Brees aging, the Saints' window is not that large, so they are running out of time to win a title.
Still, New Orleans remains one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl going into 2019, and these are three X-factors for the Saints going into what they hope is a triumphant season.
3. The Return of Sheldon Rankins
Sheldon Rankins was a dominant force along the Saints' defensive line this past season, racking up 40 tackles, eight sacks and a forced fumble. However, he suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs and seems likely to begin the 2019 campaign on the PUP list.
Will Rankins return this coming season, and how effective will he be if and when he does?
Achilles tears are no joke and are widely considered to be the most debilitating injury an athlete can have, so there is no guarantee that Rankins will ever be the same even if he does get back on the field in 2019.
But, with the Saints already not having a great defense as it is, an absent or compromised Rankins will make it even more difficult for New Orleans to stop opposing offenses.
2. The No. 2 Wide Receiver
We know that Michael Thomas is Brees' top target in the passing game, but who will emerge as the No. 2 receiver?
Will it be Ted Ginn Jr., who missed most of 2018 with a knee injury? Will Cameron Meredith finally get healthy and step up? Will second-year wide out Tre'Quan Smith surprise some people?
Luckily for Brees, the Saints did sign tight end Jared Cook, which gives him another reliable pass-catcher along with Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara, but New Orleans really needs a No. 2 receiver to establish themselves.
Just imagine how much more lethal and versatile the Saints' offense will be if someone other than Thomas becomes a serious threat? Then, maybe Thomas won't have to catch 125 passes again.
1. Drew Brees' Age
Brees is now 40 years old, and you have to wonder just how much longer he will continue to defy logic.
Yes, Tom Brady is doing it in New England, but typically, quarterbacks no longer remain elite once they hit the age of 40, and Brees has already shown some signs of slowing down.
Sure, he broke his own record by completing 74.6 percent of his passes in 2018, but he threw for under 4,000 yards for the first time since 2005, which was his final year with the San Diego Chargers.
It's becoming more and more apparent that Brees' arm strength is declining, and while he has generally made a living off of short and intermediate routes anyway, the decreasing zip on his throws may become a problem.
Of course, Brees is still a terrific signal-caller, but it's entirely possible that his body may betray him sooner rather than later.
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