The Kevin Buckles Report: Lions vs. Saints Game Preview
Here are Kevin Buckles' Keys to the Game:
OFFENSIVE BALANCE
The magic number is 22. When the Saints have ran the ball 22 or more times this season they are 7-0. When running the ball less than 22 times they are 1-3. As often as the running game is overshadowed by Drew Brees’ lethal aerial attack, the Saints’ running game is just as vital to the offense. After gashing the New York Giants defense for 205 yards on the ground, the Saints rushing attack cracked the top ten in the league (8th), now averaging 125.5 yards a game.
This Saints offense is now starting to look eerily similar to the one that dominated teams throughout the 2009 season when they ranked sixth in the league in rushing, en route to winning a Super Bowl title. Perhaps the most spectacular feat about the Saints’ dominant rushing attack this year is that they’ve yet to have a 100-yard rusher. That speaks to the collective effort and effectiveness of the “fearsome foursome” of running backs that they have, along with the great play of the offensive line. And with the running game hitting it’s peak, it’ll only help Brees become even more deadly and effective in the play-action game. With that being said, the Detroit Lions defense ranks 23rd in stopping the run, and will most likely be without their star defensive tackle, Ndamokung Suh because of a suspension. If the Saints can get their running game on track early and often versus the Lions, expect similar results to that of the Giants game.
DEFENSIVE BACKS MAKING PLAYS
The Saints defense is almost dead last in the league in interceptions with only six in eleven games. For the most part it hasn’t been because players haven’t been in the positions to make the play, but because they just haven’t been able to finish the job and catch it. On Sunday Night, however, they will have plenty opportunities to make plays on balls thrown by Matt Stafford. After only throwing four interceptions in his first eight games, Stafford has now thrown a staggering nine in only his last three games. Stafford’s injury to his throwing hand, forcing him to wear a protective glove, may be the cause for the increase of picks thrown which could play right into the Saints hands (literally). Intercepting the ball and giving Drew Brees a short field would make things much easier for an offense that is already very potent, and could ultimately put the game out of reach early against the Lions.
CONTAIN MEGATRON
After seeing how a taller, stronger, receiver in Andre Johnson dominate the Saints’ secondary in week three, the Lions will definitely look to exploit that come Sunday night with a beast of their own in Calvin Johnson. Although the Saints’ best cornerback, Jabari Greer, doesn’t have the stats to show for, he’s having a Pro Bowl-type season covering number one receivers. However, he is an undersized at his position and struggles mightily covering taller receivers, which could be a huge issue for the Saints defense, come Sunday Night. At no point in the game should Greer be left on an island with Johnson, there should always be safety and/or zone coverage helping him. This would also mean that Gregg Williams would have to be more creative with his blitzes considering Stafford could easily toss it up to Johnson, with him effortlessly making a play with the ball. So if Johnson can be contained, it should put Stafford in a position where he has to force errant throws, benefiting the Saints secondary significantly.
Key Matchup:
ROBINSON/PORTER VS LIONS RECEIVERS NOT NAMED CALVIN JOHNSON
Although the Saints have done fairly well containing opposing teams’ number one receivers, it has been the second and third receivers who have been consistently wreaking havoc on the Saints’ secondary. Receivers such as Victor Cruz, Harry Douglas, Preston Parker, Arrelious Benn, and James Casey have torched the Saints this season despite being their team’s second or third receiving options. With much of the focus being on Calvin Johnson, cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Patrick Robinson must do a better job covering their matchups. Otherwise, Lions receivers Nate Burleson and Titus Young could be in for big games.
Player to watch for:
ROBERT MEACHEM
Prediction:
With another primetime night game in the Superdome, I expect Drew Brees to feast on a defense weakened by the absence of several key injured and suspended players. The Saints will extend their winning streak to four in a row, improving to 6-0 at home and 9-3 on the season, defeating the Lions 38-21.
67%
Drew Brees has one big star in the passing game: tight end Jimmy Graham. As for wideouts, he can distribute to five good ones who know how to adjust their routes to know what their superior quarterback wants. You can't execute a passing game better than Brees did Monday night, except for one throw -- his 18-inch overthrow of a sure touchdown to Lance Moore in the first half. (Talk about picking nits.)
One of the keys going into the Monday Night game was the Saints offensive line’s ability to contain the fearsome pass rush of the Giants. Not only did they contain it, they flat out dominated their defensive line. From the very beginning Drew Brees had an excellent pocket to throw the ball in, and it showed as he sliced and diced the Giants secondary all game long. It marked the third straight game in which Brees hasn’t been sacked. The offensive line also showed how dominant they could be creating holes for the running backs.
As mind-boggling as it may sound, in his 11th year in the league, at age 32, Drew Brees may be on the cusp of the prime of his career and last night was proof. Throwing for 363 yards, four touchdowns, and even rushing for a touchdown Michael Vick-esque, he played at an MVP-caliber level in front of the entire nation versus the Giants all night, sending a clear message to America and the National Football League, that he will not be denied. He is on pace to shatter Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season, and is itching closer and closer to Johnny Unitas’ record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass (47), with 38. He also extended his own record of consecutive games with at least 20 straight completions with 30. With all of these record-breaking accolades that Brees is eclipsing, he is cementing his place in Canton for sure. Another Super Bowl win or two wouldn’t hurt his case either.
with 406 passing yards, almost setting a consecutive completion record along the way with 21 straight. They also allowed a disturbing 72-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Cruz stemming from ROMAN HARPER BLOWING COVERAGE. That’s been the case one too many times for me this season with Harper. He must stay disciplined in pass coverage going forward. Luckily, at that point the game was already out of hand. However, the Saints’ late defensive struggles in the game could be a blessing in disguise. Unlike in the Colts game debacle, there were obvious areas of Monday Night’s blowout where the Saints can vastly improve. That could in turn halt any type of lackluster performance in the following game like their play versus the Rams after previously playing the Colts. But only time will tell as a shambled Detroit Lions team will come in town to face the Saints on Sunday Night.
What it means: The Saints are 8-3 and still alone at the top of the NFC South. They also have the city of New Orleans rocking as the season comes down to crunch time. When teams have to come into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for prime-time games late in the season, the Saints have a huge home-field edge. They’ve got the Lions coming in for a prime-time game Sunday, and the Falcons come to New Orleans the night after Christmas. If the Saints win the NFC South and get the No. 3 seed, they’re pretty much guaranteed a trip to the NFC Championship Game, which could be a return trip to Lambeau Field, where the Saints started the season with a close loss to the Packers. But, hey, I'm thinking anything is possible for the Saints right now. This season is starting to remind me a lot more of 2009 than 2010. 
