The New Orleans Saints took one on the chin at home Monday night vs. the Miami Dolphins. The Saints lost 20-3 and looked embarrassingly bad on offense. Starting quarterback Taysom Hill and his backup, Trevor Siemian, were both placed on the COVID-19 reserve list leading up to the game. That left rookie quarterback Ian Book out of Notre Dame to start for New Orleans. The Dolphins defense feasted on Book and the Saints offense all night.
Here are the 3 key takeaways from the tough Week 16 loss by the Saints.
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Saints Week 16 Takeaways
3. New Orleans defense is still elite
The Saints were beat up pretty bad by the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, but it was in no part due to the New Orleans defense.
Miami entered the game on a six-game winning streak and had looked really good offensively. Yet, the Saints defense held them down for the vast majority of the game. The Dolphins only picked up 16 first downs, with four of those coming from penalties. Miami was held to 259 yards of offense.
The Saints sacked Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa three times and picked him off once.
Tua with a DOT to Marshon Lattimore🎯
pic.twitter.com/fprH4WHPli— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 28, 2021
It was a downright dominant performance from their defense that is completely overshadowed by how putrid the offense looked. It's hard to get into the conversation when the offense goes 3-and-out every possession.
2. The Saints are in desperate need of playmakers
The Saints might have been without a competent starting quarterback Monday, but the lack of game breakers was once again apparent.
Whether it's Taysom Hill or Ian Book under center, more and more teams are stacking the box against Alvin Kamara. Kamara was held in check Monday night, rushing for 52 yards on 13 carries. That has been a theme lately, as the offense continues to shows its inability to get the ball downfield.
The trio of Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris simply are not scaring any defenses. You can easily play one high safety against the Saints offense, drop an 8th defender down into the box, and take your chances.
The good news for Saints fans is that Michael Thomas will hopefully be back fully healthy next season. It's been almost two full seasons since we have seen the Pro Bowl wideout playing. But don't forget, we are only two seasons removed from Thomas setting the NFL record for most receptions in a single season with 149.
1. The Saints are still alive in the playoff hunt, with a surprisingly decent shot at making it
Despite the loss Monday, New Orleans still has a shot at making the postseason. They are 7-8, tied with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. Those three teams are all one game behind the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles, who currently hold the final two wild card spots.
New Orleans finishes the season with games against the Carolina Panthers and the aforementioned Falcons. The Panthers are in a free fall and don't even know who they want to play quarterback. There is a high probability that the Saints defense eats the Panthers alive Sunday. That leaves the Falcons game. If you win those two, you finish 9-8 and jump the Falcons in the standings.
The Minnesota Vikings have to play the Green Bay Packers this weekend. Green Bay has the best record in the NFL and is looking to lock up the #1 seed and only first round bye. They aren't resting anyone and will be going balls to the wall for a win Sunday. If Minnesota drops that game, the Saints then jump them in the standings.
That leaves the Eagles and 49ers. San Francisco is in a bit of trouble. It was announced earlier that 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with a broken thumb and torn ligaments.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has torn ligament in thumb https://t.co/TGp3ebX3FH #sports #feedly
— K Dubb (@TheReal_KDubb) December 28, 2021
More than likely, he will miss Week 17 against the Houston Texans and possibly Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. With rookie Trey Lance under center, it is very possible the 49ers drop at least one game.
The Eagles still have to play Dallas in Week 18, after facing Washington this weekend.
So, as bad as it seems for the Saints, they actually still have a pretty decent chance at making the postseason.
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