Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans-Times Picayune called the Saints’ loss to the Rams the worst performance of the Sean Payton era.
It’s hard to disagree, and that’s why the Saints are PFT’s pick for the worst loss of Week Eight.
Are the Saints Super Bowl contenders? Or are they the team that has lost two straight on the road to the Bucs and Rams?
At 5-3, New Orleans no longer lead division rivals Tampa or Atlanta in the loss column. A number of troubling trends have started to emerge, and it’s not all about the defense.
After finishing second in interceptions in the NFL last year, Drew Brees is tied for “first” with ten picks this year. He has multiple picks in four of the last six games, including four interceptions against the Bucs.
Brees is forcing too many passes in part because he’s under pressure. Brees has already been sacked 19 times. In his first five years with the Saints, Brees was sacked on average 18 times for the entire season.
The interceptions are contributing to a -5 turnover differential. Gregg Williams’ defense is supposed to be built on turnovers, but they only have eight all year. That ranks 29th in the league.
The Rams loss hurts because there aren’t many supposed gimmes coming up on the schedule. The Saints face the Bucs, Falcons, Giants, and Lions over the next four weeks
Championship-caliber teams often go through lulls during the season. Look at the Packers last year. Then again, championship teams find a way to win on the road where the Saints have lost three times.
The Saints need to turn around their play quickly or they will be playing on the road throughout the playoffs -- if they make it there.