Saints' Jared Cook Out vs. 49ers After Suffering Concussion on TD Catch
Dec 8, 2019
New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (87) carries on a touchdown reception in the first half an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
He ended his day with two catches for 64 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Cook had emerged as a reliable weapon for the Saints, totaling four touchdowns in a four-game stretch including his production from Sunday.
On the year, the veteran has 34 catches for 523 yards and six touchdowns, becoming a legitimate second option in the passing attack behind Michael Thomas.
It has been a continuation of Cook's breakout 2018 season when he set career highs with 68 catches, 896 yards and six touchdowns with the Oakland Raiders, earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. While the 32-year-old has been a valuable part of many offenses over his 11-year career, he has especially raised his game over the past two seasons.
Of course, this also makes his absence an even greater loss for the Saints.
Josh Hill replaced Cook in the lineup and scored a touchdown Sunday, but he doesn't have the type of athleticism the starter provides for this offense.
Look for Thomas to get an even greater role in the passing game while Alvin Kamara should get more looks out of the backfield.
Taysom Hill Could Be an X-Factor No Other NFL Team Has
Nov 29, 2019
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
The New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill is a throwback. The quarterback (basically in name only) is capable of effectively playing multiple phases of the game to provide his team with an edge no other squad in the NFL can claim.
His versatility was never more evident than during his performance in Thursday's 26-18 victory over the rival Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Saints' starting left side of the offensive line and fullback Zach Line were inactive for the contest. So what did head coach and play-caller Sean Payton do? He decided to utilize Hill more than usual.
Clearly, starting quarterback Drew Brees embodies the entire Saints franchise. Yet the coaching staff knows it has an advantage whenever Hill is on the field. He's more than a gadget player; he's a legitimate cog to New Orleans' success.
To steal from basketball terminology, Hill provides instant offense, and that's true whether he's actually on offense or not, which became abundantly clear during the game's first two drives.
But let's backtrack and take a moment to realize how special Hill really is.
The BYU graduate suffered four season-ending injuries at the college level. When he was on the field, he displayed special traits, though he unfortunately never had an opportunity to truly shine. Still, the 6'2", 221-pound signal-caller blew scouts away with a 38.5-inch vertical jump and 4.44-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
The Green Bay Packers, not the Saints, signed Hill before he was released during the league's final cut deadline. New Orleans wound up signing the 27-year-old undrafted free agent prior to the 2017 season.
"I would share with others how courageous Taysom has been in overcoming obstacles and facing challenges," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe wrote on Twitter back in 2016 (h/t the Salt Lake Tribune's Jay Drew). "Toughest Coug I've ever seen!"
An understanding of his progression is absolutely vital to his current standing. Hill knew before the draft his career likely depended on a position switch. His toughness extended beyond the drive necessary to continually rehab and overcome previous injuries and lent itself well to his on-field performance. He's not going to take anything for granted.
Just look at the first impact play he made Monday on special teams:
The wing provided Hill with a soft post leg. The quarterback-turned-special teams standout blew through the inside gap like the blocker wasn't even there to deflect the Falcons' opening-drive punt.
How many former quarterbacks would even consider playing on special teams, let alone do so with the same reckless abandon? Some would rather hold a clipboard, content just to collect a paycheck, while other backups aren't even athletic enough to provide anything else of substance.
Hill is truly one of a kind when it comes to his raw athleticism, skill set and willingness to do whatever his coaches ask. His contributions go beyond being a vital special teams contributor. The Saints love to involve him in their offense and did so against the Falcons.
After he blocked the punt, Payton decided to reward him for his hard work:
The three-yard score signaled more than a nifty offensive design. Hill's versatility allowed him to line up in the slot, come in motion and power into the end zone, providing the Saints with a short-yardage option from multiple spots.
His second touchdown showed another breakaway threat in an already explosive offense:
The Saints' offensive front perfectly blocked the play and created a truck-sized hole through which he could scurry. Hill flashed the vision and speed necessary to pull away from a Falcons defensive back for a 30-yard touchdown romp.
"If you see a gap, take it," Hilltold reportersafter the game. "I think that was something [the Falcons] weren't prepared for. ... We had good numbers and were able to score."
Hill finished the contest with two carries for 33 yards, two receptions for 12 yards, two touchdowns and a blocked punt. No other player can fill the stat sheet in quite the same manner.
And the Saints weren't done there. They attempted a reverse pass and lined up in other formations with Hill as the focal point.
"It was one of those weeks I was really excited about, certainly a short week," Hill said. "When you have guys like Mike Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Jared Cook, the list goes on, it kinda creates opportunities for little old me because there's so much attention that's put on those guys. Coach is one of the best at being creative and putting guys in positions to be successful. I got lucky because I was that guy tonight."
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 28: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates the victory with Drew Brees #9 while eating turkey legs following an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Ph
The Saints are loaded with offensive talent. That's no secret. But Hill adds to an already impressive cast despite his humility.
Core-four special teamers are vital to any team's success. Hill provides more. The unpredictability his mere presence creates gives the Saints an added advantage because opponents must account for him at all times. He can line up at wide receiver, tight end, running back or quarterback and be effective.
Since the Saints (10-2) have already clinched the NFC South, they can now look at the rest of the competition within the conference. The Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers all feature aggressive defenses, but the Saints can keep those units on their heels merely by placing Hill in the action.
Hill doesn't need to affect every phase of the game, even though he has the ability to do so. He simply needs to present the threat of game-changing plays to give the Saints an edge every time he's on the field.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.
Drew Brees, Saints Clinch NFC South for 3rd Straight Year with Win vs. Falcons
Nov 28, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a touchdown during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The 10-2 New Orleans Saints are postseason-bound once again after they clinched the NFC South title Thursday with a 26-18victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Saints clinch NFC South for third-straight season with 26-18 win over Falcons on Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/hFNK0RuY2e
It will be New Orleans' third consecutive playoff trip, with the previous two ending in heartbreak. The Minneapolis Miracle sent the Saints home in the divisional round after the 2017 season, and last year's team fell one game shy of the Super Bowl after a controversial no-call late in its loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Now, Drew Brees and Co. will have the opportunity to avenge those crushing defeats.
New Orleans appeared destined for the playoffs after it started the season 7-1. The team overcame Brees' early-season thumb injury, with backup Teddy Bridgewater going 5-0 in five starts.
The Saints have piled up wins with or without Brees thanks to a balanced roster. The offense includes the likes of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, while the defense features playmakers such as Marshon Lattimore, Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport.
With that type of talent, New Orleans has to be considered a serious threat to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
Even if New Orleans can't secure the conference's top seed, it can at least avoid the Wild Card Round and host a divisional-round game by winning out.
Saints' Sean Payton Offers Solution to Fix NFL's Issues with Replay Review
Nov 25, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints challenges a play against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
After the New Orleans Saints were hurt by officials once again Sunday, head coach Sean Payton is insisting on more changes to the league's rules.
Payton now believes pass interference calls should be decided by a group of three instead of solely by Al Riveron, the league's senior vice president of officiating.
"I think he's got a tough job. And when you have a group of three, I think you're gonna arrive at more consistent calls," the coach said Monday, per Mike Triplett of ESPN.
"You know, we don't have one Supreme Court justice," he added.
Payton was one of the key promoters of replay review this offseason after the Saints were seemingly robbed of a pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Fast forward to Sunday, and New Orleans was on the losing end of a challenge that reversed the ruling on the field and gave the Carolina Panthers a first down.
The Saints escaped with a 34-31 win thanks in part to a missed Joey Slye field goal, but the overturned call was a vital one that nearly decided the game.
New Orleans also lost a challenge in the first quarter when officials ruled Jared Cook did not draw a pass interference, which was upheld after review.
"It wasn't our best game, it wasn't their best game and quite honestly it wasn't New York's best game," Payton told reporters Sunday, referring to where replays are reviewed.
Riveron stood by his call when pressed after the game.
"After reviewing it, it was clear and obvious through visual evidence that the defender significantly hinders the receiver while the ball is in the air, therefore, it's defensive pass interference," he told Larry Holder of The Athletic, via Amie Just of the Advocate.
Still, it's clear the Saints didn't agree with the call, especially with the inconsistency during the season featuring only eight of 63 challenged calls being overturned, per ESPN Stats & Info. A three-man committee could potentially fix these problems.
"That interaction helps you arrive at better decisions," Payton explained. "And I think clearly we would benefit from that. Because look, Sunday's a long day."
Is Michael Thomas Having the Best WR Season in NFL History?
Nov 25, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints and Cameron Jordan #94 celebrate a win against the Carolina Panthers after a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Only three NFL players have caught more than 70 passes this season. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has caught 104.
Only three players have amassed 1,000 receiving yards. Thomas has 1,242.
Among qualified receivers, only Thomas and Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks have caught more than 80 percent of the passes thrown their way. But the former has 41 more receptions than the latter.
Thomas has undoubtedly emerged as the most productive pass-catcher in the game, but the 26-year-old is putting together a season that could go down in history.
On Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, he became the first player in league history to catch more than 100 passes 11 games into a season. And he's just 60 yards behind Julio Jones' modern record for most receiving yards at the 11-game mark.
He's on pace to become the first player ever with 150 catches in a season (only one has caught 140) and just the fifth to go over the 1,800-yard plateau.
And he's done so despite a lack of stability and consistency at the quarterback position.
You couldn't be faulted for chalking up some of Thomas' success in 2016, 2017 and 2018 to the fact that Drew Brees was throwing him passes. Brees was the league's most accurate and highest-rated passer during that span, and he didn't miss a game due to injury (he rested for the team's final regular-season game last year).
But the 40-year-old quarterback has started just six games this season, and he hasn't been as efficient or as consistent as usual in that action. His passer rating has dropped nearly 10 points while his interception rate has nearly doubled, and backup Teddy Bridgewater was serviceable but not spectacular when he started five games in Brees' stead earlier this season.
How much stronger would Thomas' numbers be if Brees hadn't suffered a significant thumb injury in September? In six games primarily quarterbacked by Bridgewater this year, Thomas has averaged 8.7 catches and 107.0 yards. But with Brees, he's averaged 10.4 catches and 120.4 yards.
Extrapolate his numbers with Brees over the final five weeks of the regular season, and he'll catch 156 passes for 1,844 yards. Three of his touchdowns have also come in the four games since Brees returned, which bodes well for his chances of reaching the double digits in that category.
That might be the one area in which Thomas will have to take off for this to be considered the best season ever for a wide receiver.
Even with 150-160 catches and 1,800-2,000 yards, if he scores just eight or nine touchdowns, it'll be hard to compare him to Randy Moss (who scored a ridiculous 23 in 2007 with the New England Patriots), Jerry Rice (who scored 22 times with the 1987 San Francisco 49ers) or any of the players who put up slightly inferior reception and yardage numbers while scoring 15-18 touchdowns (nobody has ever caught 19, 20 or 21 touchdown passes in a season).
If you want to combine those key stats, you could look at fantasy points. Thomas is on pace for 387.3 in a points-per-reception format and 231.7 in a standard format. The first would rank third all-time behind only Rice in 1995 and Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 (by a minuscule margin). But the second would only be the 30th-highest fantasy total of all time. That's because touchdowns are weighted so heavily, which is fair.
Here's how Thomas' current pace compares to the most productive single-season performances at his position in the modern era (post-1970 merger, because the game has changed far too much to go back further):
Receptions 1. Michael Thomas (151) 2. Marvin Harrison (143) T3. Antonio Brown (136) T3. Julio Jones (136) 5. Brown (129) 6. Thomas (125)
Receiving yards 1. Calvin Johnson (1,964) 2. Jones (1,871) 3. Jerry Rice (1,848) 4. Brown (1,834) 5. Thomas (1,807) 6. Isaac Bruce (1,781)
Receiving touchdowns 1. Randy Moss (23) 2. Rice (22) T3. Mark Clayton (18) T3. Sterling Sharpe (18) T350. Thomas (9)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers races upfield against the Miami Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida on November 20, 1995. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins 44-20. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Gett
If you view receiving touchdowns as the ultimate stat for a receiver, Thomas will have a hard time earning as much credit as other greats. But on balance, he's right there with these standouts:
1987 Jerry Rice: He scored 22 touchdowns but barely reached 1,000 yards on only 65 catches. The two seasons are very hard to compare.
1995 Jerry Rice: "Just" 122 catches, but 1,848 yards and 15 touchdowns. Thomas would have to maintain his current catch and yardage paces and score about six touchdowns in the final five weeks to put up a comparable overall season. Rice averaged 3.2 yards per catch more than Thomas has this season, but Thomas' number could climb with Brees in the saddle the rest of the way.
2002 Marvin Harrison: He caught a record 143 passes for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns. Thomas is on pace to shatter that catch record, pick up about 100 extra receiving yards and fall just a couple touchdowns short of Harrison's total. They'd be very similar seasons, but Thomas looks to be on track to finish with an edge.
2007 Randy Moss: He failed to catch 100 passes and had "only" 1,493 receiving yards but scored 23 touchdowns. If Thomas can catch 50 percent more passes than Moss did and compile 300-plus more yards than him, he could be in this range even with about 10 fewer touchdowns, depending on who you ask.
2012 Calvin Johnson: This is an interesting comparison because Johnson caught a lot of passes (122) for a record number of yards (1,964) but scored only five touchdowns.
It's a good sign that this campaign is remembered so fondly even though he found the end zone so rarely. If Thomas finishes with 30 more receptions as Johnson and twice as many touchdowns, his 2019 season should be viewed as superior even if he falls a couple of hundred yards short of Megatron's record in that field.
For what it's worth, Johnson's the only player on this list whose team had a losing record. That arguably made his campaign even more remarkable, but it's also easy to pad stats when you're losing often and your quarterback is Matthew Stafford. I don't think it's a game-changing factor.
2015 Julio Jones: He caught 136 passes and had a few more yards than Thomas is on pace to accumulate, but Jones scored just eight touchdowns. Thomas is on pace to put together a better all-around season, even if he falls short of Jones in yardage.
2015 Antonio Brown: He caught seven fewer passes but compiled 112 more yards than 2002 Harrison while scoring 10 touchdowns. Again, Thomas should have enough of an edge in the first category (and maybe even the second category) to make up for a deficit in the third category.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 29: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops the ball in celebration of a first down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Pittsburgh Steeler
What is the primary goal of any wide receiver? The primary goal for any skill-position offensive player is to score but a receiver's job is to catch passes, and Thomas is doing that at a better pace than anyone else in league history. There's also the yardage argument, and he's faring pretty well there as well.
The key might be to produce in all three realms. Three receivers have caught 130 passes, four have gone over 1,800 yards and hundreds have scored 10-plus touchdowns. But if Thomas can maintain those other paces and manage to score five times between Thanksgiving night and the end of December, he can become the first player in league history to catch more than 130 passes for more than 1,800 yards and more than 10 touchdowns in a single season.
That'd have to get him into every conversation about legendary seasons at the wide receiver position.
Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.
Saints Are Quietly NFL's Most Dangerous Contender Right Now
Nov 24, 2019
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) gestures after a touchdown by wide receiver Michael Thomas (13), during the second half at an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
There's been plenty written and said over the past few weeks about the offensive heroics of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. There's been no shortage of columns and conversations about the defensive dominance of Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams have been the darlings of the NFL in 2019.
However, most of what's been said about the New Orleans Saints came during Teddy Bridgewater's impressive run under center while Drew Brees was sidelined by a thumb injury earlier in the year. Since Brees returned, the Saints have faded from the national spotlight.
The spotlight may have faded, but the Saints haven't.
After gutting out a 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers, they sit at 9-2 and are in complete control of the NFC South. And while folks have debated whether the Ravens or 49ers are the best team in the league, the Saints have quietly been building the NFL's most balanced and dangerous contender.
In fairness, much like in last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Saints didn't exactly pile up style points against the Panthers.
After racing out to an early 14-0 lead, the Saints just couldn't put them away. They hurt themselves with a dozen penalties for 123 yards. And had Panthers kicker Joey Slye not pushed a 28-yard field-goal attempt wide right with two minutes left, they may well have been stunned at home for the second time in three weeks.
But Slye missed the kick, and Brees made Carolina pay for it, leading New Orleans on an 11-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in the game-winning field goal.
The Saints did what good teams do: They figured out a way to win while not playing at their best.
Brees told reporters earlier this week, per the team's official website, that while he's aware New Orleans hasn't been firing on all cylinders, he's confident the team can improve down the stretch:
"I just think we can execute. We can continue to execute better offensively. I know defense just from talking to the guys, they have things they’re working on. Even coming off a game like that where you win convincingly and you do some good things on both sides of the ball, I think there's still a lot more to be desired."
If that's the case, the Saints are more than capable of representing the NFC in Miami at Super Bowl LIV.
Yes, they entered Week 12 a so-so 14th in total offense and 13th in scoring offense. But those rankings come with the caveat that the team has played five-plus games with a backup quarterback calling the shots. Over the last two weeks, the Saints have averaged 34 points and 372.5 yards of total offense per game.
It's not hard to see why. They're as stacked offensively as any team in the NFL.
In Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, New Orleans has one of the best one-two punches at running back in the game. The duo combined to average 6.6 yards per carry against the Panthers on Sunday, and Kamara pitched in another 48 yards on nine catches, including the grab that set up Wil Lutz's game-winner.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas is having another phenomenal season, establishing himself as the gold standard at wide receiver.
He entered Week 12 leading the league in catches and yards by a wide margin, and that's not going to change after he reeled in 10 passes for 101 yards on Sunday. Tight end Jared Cook has also been hot of late; he posted a 6/99/1 line against the Panthers and has a touchdown in four of his last five games.
Then there's that Brees fellow, who I hear is pretty good.
The 40-year-old's days of annually throwing for over 5,000 yards may be over, and he's still likely not quite 100 percent after surgery on his throwing hand. But the future Hall of Famer is getting closer to full health by the week, and he's still completing over 75 percent of his passes with a passer rating in triple digits.
Throw in an offensive line that ranks inside the top 10 in pass protection and leads the NFL in run blocking, per Football Outsiders, and you have a unit that compares favorably to any offense in the NFC.
The Saints aren't one-dimensional, either. Sunday's win over Carolina admittedly wasn't their finest effort of the season, but their defense came into Week 12 sixth in total defense and 12th in scoring defense. New Orleans has amassed 31 sacks and 15 takeaways for the year.
Cameron Jordan is one of the most underrated defensive ends in the game. Ditto for outside linebacker Demario Davis, who had 11 total tackles and a sack against the Panthers. A young secondary filled with former Ohio State Buckeyes and headlined by cornerback Marshon Lattimore (who missed Week 12 with a hamstring injury) has surrendered fewer than 240 yards per game through the air.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers gets sacked by Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo
The Saints haven't been as explosive as the Dallas Cowboys or Seattle Seahawks. And their defense hasn't been as stifling as San Francisco's. But the Saints have more balance than those teams. There just isn't an area—from the quarterback to the kicker—that can be pointed to as a glaring weakness.
Granted, much hinges on the Saints playing up to their potential. But this is a veteran team that all but has the NFC South wrapped up. Assuming they get past Atlanta on Thanksgiving (which isn't a sure bet after the Falcons pasted them in Week 10), they will host the 49ers in Week 14 with the No. 1 seed in the NFC potentially on the line.
It's not difficult to imagine a scenario in which a Saints team that didn't have its starting quarterback for over a month could wind up with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs—that the road to Miami on that side of the bracket could go right through the Superdome.
And if that's the case, the Saints will be that much more dangerous than they already are.
Sean Payton Takes Dig at NFL After Saints' Win: 'Wasn't New York's Best Game'
Nov 24, 2019
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton speaks after an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Panthers 34-31. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
"It wasn't our best game, it wasn't their best game and quite honestly it wasn't New York's best game," Payton said in his postgame press conference.
Payton's frustration likely stemmed from a pass interference penalty on Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the fourth quarter that was called after a video review.
Al Riveron, the NFL's senior vice president of officiating, explained the decision:
By the letter of the law, Gardner-Johnson was guilty of pass interference. For Saints fans, the issue is that referees have almost never overturned the ruling on the field when it comes to pass interference, even in instances when the defender clearly made contact before the ball arrived.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Drew Brees summed up the general sentiment when he said he has come to expect the initial decision to stand except in extreme circumstances:
Drew Brees was asked about the seemingly ever-changing definition of pass interference. Brees said he was starting to think none would be changed unless it was to “prevent the tragedy” like what happened in the NFC Championship game.
The obvious irony is that the Saints are partially responsible for the new pass interference rule. The NFL made the change after New Orleans was the victim of an indisputable missed call in the NFC Championship Game.
That helped build an us-against-the-world mentality when it came to Saints fans and the NFL as a whole. Many of them dressed as referees for New Orleans' season-opening win over the Houston Texans in a not-so-subtle reference to the conference title game.
The sense of injustice grew when Cameron Jordan's fumble-recovery touchdown was wiped off the board the following week against the Los Angeles Rams because the referees had blown the whistle to stop play.
After Sunday, Riveron shouldn't expect an invite to Payton's home for Thanksgiving.
Report: Saints' Andrus Peat Underwent Surgery for Broken Arm, out 6 Weeks
Nov 13, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Andrus Peat #75 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
According to Schefter, Peat will miss six weeks to recover from the procedure.
Peat, a Pro Bowler in 2018, was limited to a season-low 22 offensive snaps against the Falcons, perPro Football Reference. Perhaps not coincidentally, Atlanta held New Orleans to its lowest rushing output (52) of the year.
A six-week recovery timeline would have Peat back for the Saints' regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 29. With the team in position to clinch a playoff berth, that would allow him to get some game action before the postseason is underway.
The offensive line—particularly on the interior—has been a strength for New Orleans. According toFootball Outsiders, the team is first in adjusted line yards and third in stuffed rate, the latter of which measures the number of runs which fail to go beyond the line of scrimmage. Only 14 percent of the Saints' running plays have ended in the backfield.
Patrick Omameh will likely have the difficult task of replacing Peat at left guard and replicating his role in the team's blocking schemes.
Report: Saints' Marshon Lattimore Week-to-Week with Hamstring Injury
Nov 11, 2019
Aug 26, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) against Houston Texans wide receiver Dres Anderson (17) during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Re-watching the Falcons-Saints game this morning and Marshon Lattimore injured his hamstring on a second-and-18 play in the second quarter. He was in coverage on Julio Jones away from the play and pulled up holding the back of his left leg.
The second-quarter injury forced him out of the game, and he never returned to what became a 26-9 loss.
Lattimore joined the Saints secondary as the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. The Ohio State product represented one of the most logical fits of the opening round that year given his strong play with the Buckeyes and New Orleans' longtime struggles in the defensive backfield.
He enjoyed immediate success en route to tallying 52 combined tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble across 13 games as a rookie. He added 59 tackles and two picks in 2018.
On the injury front, the 23-year-old Ohio native was limited to three games during his freshman campaign at OSU because of hamstring problems. He sat out three contests for the Saints as a rookie while recovering from a concussion and an ankle injury but bounced back to play all 16 games last year.
It would represent a significant setback for the Saints pass defense if the latest ailment forces him to the sideline. P.J. Williams should get the first chance to fill the void opposite Eli Apple. More playing time could also be available for Justin Hardee.
The Saints will want Lattimore to get as many reps as possible working against an opponent's top target so he can continue to anchor the Saints' secondary as a high-end No. 1 corner.
Drew Brees, Sean Payton Talk Biggest Upset of Season with Saints Loss vs Falcons
Nov 10, 2019
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The Falcons won 26-9. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
ESPN's Mike Triplett noted New Orleans was a 13.5-point favorite at the Caesars Sportsbook, the highest spread for a losing team so far in 2019.
Brees said the loss was "not us" and that "we're better than that."
Payton was more blunt with his assessment: "We didn't play well enough to win today—really against anybody. I mean, you pick a situation, and there's a good chance they won that situation. ... This has always been a game played with emotion, and I thought they outplayed us. They outplayed us, they outcoached us, and they deserved to win."
Payton's comments weren't wide of the mark.
While the Falcons only gained 317 yards, they ran for 143 yards as a team, which allowed them to possess the ball for 33:46 and keep New Orleans' offense off the field.
The Saints went 3-of-12 on third down and 0-of-3 on fourth down. They also committed 12 penalties that totaled 90 yards and came away with six points on three trips into the red zone.
As frustrating as Sunday's loss was, the Saints still have a two-game lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, and they have winnable games against the Panthers, Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before a highly anticipated clash with the 8-0 San Francisco 49ers in Week 14.
