The Saints Have Their First Win, They Also Have Some Problems

The New Orleans Saints won at home.  They even covered the spread against the Vikings!  So why is the Who Dat Nation so worried?

The Saints came into this season with possibly the most hype they'v ever had heading into a new season.  The Saints had 8-1 odds of making the Superbowl before the regular season.  Quite possibly, the highest Vegas has ever been on the Black and Gold.  Then, week 1 came.

After the first two weeks of the season, the Saints had two losses both on the road.  In both games, New Orleans even had a lead with 4 seconds or less left on the clock.

The loss in Atlanta was understandable, you can throw the records out when those two rival teams play each other.  The loss in Cleveland was a little more disturbing.  The Saints had to come from behind to get the lead.  Then the defense didn't hold the lead at the very end of the game, just like in Atlanta.

But after both losses, Saints fans thought that the team would get back to Superbowl form in front of the home crowd.  Unfortunately, the home field advantage didn't seem to stir anything inside these Saints.  They looked lacklsuter on Sunday against an even more lackluster Vikings team.  Drew Brees was on point.  Colston, Graham, and the Saints defense weren't.

Marques Colston had his first catch since the fumble in Atlanta, but he also had some uncharacteristic drops.  Jimmy Graham looked good running with the ball, but he also had some unusual drops.

The defense... is not good.  Run it or throw it, it doesn't matter.  The Saints haven't shown they can stop it yet.  Yes, some aging veterans were let go before the season started but many thought this defense would be even more improved than the fourth ranked total defense from last season.  I'm not sure if it's scheme, or lack of talent.  But that defensive line has had very little push up front.  The linebackers have been good in defending the run, but have been susceptible to mis-matches in the passing game.  The secondary has been awful.  Patrick Robinson, a former first round pick was supposed to be a stalwart on one half of the field, but he's been yanked from the starting line-up. Kenny Vaccaro hits hard from the safety position, but he also has taken some bad angles and missed tackles.

And here's the most troubling fact yet.  The Saints play on the road against the Cowboys Sunday Night.  Before this season started, that was a confident game for Saints fans.  Now, the Cowboys are surging and need a home win in the worst way. Conversely, New Orleans seems to be fading and needs a road win in the worst way.

The Saints have all but dominated the Cowboys during the Sean Payton era.  Except for that loss by a 13-0 Saints team in the 2009 Championship season, it's been almost all Saints.

What makes me think that Dez Bryant can't get another 200 yards receiving against that Saints defense?  Nothing.  What makes me think the Saints can stop Demarco Murray from getting 150 yards?  Nothing.

Still though, even when the Saints should've lost in Dallas, they've managed to pull out a win.  (Remember the Roy E. Williams fumble Cowboy fans?)  Heading into Sunday night, the Saints are currently three point favorites against the Cowboys.  The smart money is going on Dallas.