The New Orleans Saints are sitting even at 2-2 through four weeks of the 2020-2021 NFL season.
To some, this 2-2 record could look alarming, considering the high expectations that were set for the team prior to the season. News flash: this Saints team will set the NFL on fire when all key players are back and healthy.
This past Sunday, the Saints played the Detroit Lions with a beaten-up squad. Some of the big names for New Orleans that did not participate were Michael Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, Andrus Peat and Jared Cook. Additionally, Ryan Ramczyk exited the game due to a concussion and did not return.
With all the injuries that the Saints were facing, it seemed inevitable for the team to fall to 1-3. Facing adversity is nothing new for New Orleans, so winning in a high scoring fashion over the Lions with all odds stacked against them should not have come as a surprise.
Quarterback Drew Brees has continuously been criticized due to the lack of deep passes he has thrown through the first three weeks of the season. Brees silenced the critics on Sunday, looking like his vintage self, tossing two touchdowns and 246 yards. He led the offense to 35 unanswered points after facing an early 14-0 hole. In this game, Brees showed that his arm strength is still very much intact.
It is time to give credit where credit is due by tipping the cap to the banged-up secondary, who was able to keep strong-armed Matthew Stafford under control. Stafford had his worst completion percentage rating of the season. He completed 17 of 31 passes, a 55% completion rate.
Star runningback Alvin Kamara has been electric so far this season. He has tallied seven touchdowns through only four games. After cashing in big with the Saints this off-season, he has proved to be worth every penny. Kamara has by far been the bright light in the rather dull Saints offense.
With multiple major keys missing for the team, it is hard to gauge how they truly stack up against the high powered teams in the NFL. One thing is certain: When all the injured Saints players can get back on the field healthy, the league better sound the panic alarm. This New Orleans squad does not lack talent at any position.
The win against the Lions is just another advocate for how deep the Saints team is. For anyone who is not already on the Saints bandwagon, it would probably be a good choice to hop on before it is too late.
