The Saints have won 5 games in a row since the beatdown the Browns put on them.  They are only 1 game behind the Falcons in the NFC South so this is a very important game for the Saints.  The Rams have won two games in a row (both on the road) and they are tied for first place in the NFC West so they are going to bring their “A” game this Sunday.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints have been passing to get a lead and then running the ball to finish things out.  I don’t see them changing the gameplan for the Rams.  The Rams are giving up 229.5 yards passing per game so far this year but they do have 35 sacks.  So if Drew Brees has time to throw the ball (and I think he will), he should be able to make some plays down the field.  Chris Ivory will also get his fair share of carries against the Rams who are giving up 103.5 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams are going to throw a lot of short passes while also running the ball in this game.  They are going to try to control the clock. The Saints must first worry about stopping RB Steven Jackson who has 985 yards rushing (3.8 ypc) and 4 TD runs this year.  If they slow him down then they can deal with rookie QB Sam Bradford.  Bradford doesn’t seem to have a favorite receiver which makes him hard to defend.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 28, RAMS 20

The Saints are on a roll right now as they have won four games in a row, outscoring their opponents 118-59!  The Saints need this game big time as they are still 1 game behind the Falcons in the NFC South.  The Bengals have lost eight games in a row.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints are likely going to come out passing against the Bengals.  The Bengals only have 12 sacks so far this year so Drew Brees should have a lot of time to throw the ball.  Brees will move the ball around to a bunch of different receivers in this game to confuse the Bengals’ secondary.  If the Saints get a good lead then they will try to grind a win out on the ground with Chris Ivory, Julius Jones and Reggie Bush.

When the Bengals have the ball:  The Bengals would be smart to give the ball to Cedric Benson a lot in this game against a Saints’ D that is allowing 108.9 yards rushing per game and 4.2 yards per carry.  Carson Palmer will likely have time to throw the ball as the Saints don’t have a great pass rush.  But the Saints have only given up 7 TD passes this year so Palmer’s going to have to be smart with the ball.  Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens have to have decent games for the Bengals to have any chance to win this game.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 31, BENGALS 17

Both the Saints and Cowboys are hot right now so something has to give later today.  The Saints have won three games in a row by a combined score of 88-32!  The Cowboys are 2-0 under new head coach Jason Garrett as they have outscored opponents 68-39 in those games.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Cowboys have a very weak secondary so I think Drew Brees is going to be in attack mode.  The Cowboys are giving up 235.1 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a 103.2 rating against them.  So there are plays to be made.  The Cowboys probably won’t double anyone in this game because Brees likes to move the ball around in the passing game using almost everyone.  Chris Ivory and Reggie Bush will likely handle the running game for the Saints in this game.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are likely going to mix up things offensively.  They have been running the ball with Marion Barber & Felix Jones a little more lately so the Saints will have to be ready for them.  Jon Kitna has played pretty darn good football the last two weeks so the Saints better be ready for him.  The Saints should blitz Kitna because he makes mistakes when under duress.  If Kitna has time to throw the ball the Saints could be in some trouble with Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant going out for passes.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 30, COWBOYS 24

The Saints have won two games in a row over the Steelers and Panthers so they appear to be back on the right track.  I was waiting to see how they would respond after getting their butts handed to them by the Browns.  The Saints also had two weeks to get ready for the Seahawks so it’s all systems go.  The Seahawks have won two of their last three road games so they might put up a fight for a little while.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  With Reggie Bush back the offense should be better than it has been.  They have needed a RB to step up and catch some passes out of the backfield which has been missing lately from the offense.  I look for the Saints to pass to build a lead against a Seahawks’ D that is allowing 272.2 yards passing per game before grinding the win out on the ground.  Look for Drew Brees to spread the wealth around as long as he has time to throw the ball as the Seahawks have 26 sacks already this year.

When the Seahawks have the ball:  I think the only chance the Seahawks have of winning this game is by running the ball with Justin Forsett & Marshawn Lynch against a Saints’ D that is allowing 110.7 yards rushing per game and 4.2 yards per carry.  Matt Hasselbeck is playing with a broken bone in his left wrist.  If the Saints can get him out of the game the final score will be ridiculous.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 28, SEAHAWKS 13

The Saints only beat the Panthers 16-14 at home earlier this year so they can’t afford to overlook this game.  The Saints hope that last week’s play against the Steelers carries over into this weekend.  The Panthers won two weeks ago but it was back to normal last weekend in a loss to the Rams.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Panthers have a very underrated defense so the Saints will have to come out firing to get the upper hand.  It would be smart for the Saints to try to get a running game going against the Panthers who are giving up 119.0 yards rushing per game but only 3.6 yards per carry so far this year.  The Panthers have 11 sacks and 10 interceptions so far this year so the Saints will have to be careful with the ball.  Drew Brees should be able to get the ball to his talented corps of WRs and TEs enough to put more points on the board than the last two times these teams met.

When the Panthers have the ball:  If the Panthers were ever going to try to get the running game going this will be the game.  Jonathan Stewart will get most of the work with DeAngelo Williams likely out again against a Saints’ D that is allowing 108.6 yards rushing and 4.1 yards per carry.  Matt Moore only has 5 TD passes and 10 INTs so far this year so look for the Saints to try to pressure him into making mistakes. 

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 23, PANTHERS 13 

The Saints suffered a brutal home loss last weekend to the Cleveland Browns who kicked their butts in every facet of the game.  Hopefully the reason for that was that the Saints were looking ahead to this weekend’s tilt with the Steelers.  The Saints need to get up for this game and defend their own turf which they have not done too well this season.  The Saints are only 2-2 at home this season and they have actually been outscored 80-71.  The Steelers are a great road team as they are 3-0 outscoring the opposition 80-46.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Steelers have a great run defense as they are only allowing 63.7 yards rushing and 2.8 yards per carry but the Saints are going to have to give the ball to Chris Ivory a few times in an attempt to keep the Steelers’ pass rush honest.  Make no mistake though, the Saints are going to spread the field and let Drew Brees chuck the ball around.  The O-Line is going to have to be up to the challenge this week so that Brees has time to throw the ball.  If Brees has the time to throw the ball there are plays to be made against a Steelers’ pass D that is allowing 235.7 yards passing per game.

When the Steelers have the ball:  The Steelers have the threat to pass the ball or run it.  The Saints must stop RB Rashard Mendenhall or it could be a long night.  If they succeed in doing that then they must get into Roethlisberger’s face some so that he gets a tad antsy in the pocket.  If he has a lot of time to throw the ball he will get it deep to Mike Wallace and short to Hines Ward and Heath Miller.

PREDICTION:  STEELERS 27, SAINTS 23

The Cleveland Browns come into this game all banged up due to OLB James Harrison’s cheap shots last weekend in Pittsburgh.  The Saints have not played too well at home despite being 2-1 as they have outscored the opposition 54-50.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints will likely give Chris Ivory his share of carries after last week’s breakout against the Bucs against a Browns’ D that is allowing 120.2 yards rushing and 4.0 ypc.  The Saints will still throw the ball a lot against the Browns as they will be looking for whoever CB Eric Wright is guarding because he stinks!  I look for Brees to spread the ball around and have success against a Browns’ D that is allowing 228.8 yards passing per game.

When the Browns have the ball:  The Saints’ D is going to have to tighten up the chinstraps with Peyton Hillis coming to town.  He is a good power runner and receiver out of the backfield.  Rookie QB Colt McCoy is drawing another start for the Browns and he likes throwing to the TE and the Browns have two good ones in Ben Watson and Evan Moore.  The Browns’ WRs are banged up right now so the Saints CBs should be able to handle them one on one.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 30, BROWNS 17

The last time the Saints came to Tampa they drilled the Bucs 38-7.  But the last time they played was a reversal of fortune as the Buccaneers beat the Saints 20-17 in New Orleans.  This should be a interesting matchup this time around and here’s a closer look:

When the Saints have the ball:  Drew Brees tortured the Bucs last season as he completed 51 of 66 passes (77.3%) with 445 yards passing with 4 TD passes and 0 INTs.  The Bucs have 9 INTs so far this year so Brees will have to be careful throwing the ball down the field.  But, Brees should have plenty of time to throw the ball as the Bucs only have 4 sacks so far this year.  I look for Brees to throw for his usual 300+ yards this weekend.  The Bucs do get pushed around in the running game as they are allowing 143.3 yards rushing and 4.9 yards per carry.  That could mean that Chris Ivory, Ladell Betts and Julius Jones could be somewhat effective if the Saints give them the ball.

When the Buccaneers have the ball:  Josh Freeman must have felt like the Saints’ had 8 DBs on the field against him last year.  In his two games against the Saints, Freeman completed 38 of 64 passes (59.4%) for 397 yards with 1 TD pass and 5 INTs.  The Bucs will likely try to protect Freeman in this game by running the ball a little more than usual with Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams as the Saints are allowing 118.8 yards rushing and 4.1 yards per carry this year.  If Freeman has time to throw the ball he’s going to be looking deep for rookie Mike Williams and short to TE Kellen Winslow.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 27, BUCCANEERS 24

The Saints have had a tough time defending their Super Bowl win despite being 3-1 this year as the offense isn’t clicking right now.  The Saints are only averaging 19.8 points per game so far this year.  The Cardinals are turning to undrafted rookie Alex Hall at QB and the Saints’ D has to be licking their chops right about now.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  With Pierre Thomas out of action again I see Drew Brees taking to the air a lot in this game and why not?  The Cardinals are giving up 233.3 yards passing per game and they only have 7 sacks this year.  If Brees has time to throw the ball he’s going to slice and dice the Cardinals’ D on Sunday.  Look for him to spread the ball around to Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Jeremy Shockey.

When the Cardinals have the ball:  If the Cardinals were smart they would come out running the ball with Beanie Wells & Tim Hightower against a Saints’ D that is allowing 138.3 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry.  Max Hall has thrown 16 passes this season yet he has already been sacked 6 times.  It appears that he’s holding the ball a little too long so look for the Saints to amp up the pass rush this weekend.  Look for the Saints to double cover Larry Fitzgerald and force the Cardinals to beat them in the passing game with someone else.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 34, CARDINALS 13

The Saints and the Panthers split last year with the Panthers outscoring the Saints 43-40 as both teams won at home.  This is a little misleading though as Mark Brunell started the game at QB that the Saints lost.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints without much doubt are going to come out throwing the ball against the Panthers.  The Panthers have five interceptions this season but only two sacks so Drew Brees should have a lot of success throwing the ball against them.  The Saints will likely spread the field out with Lance Moore, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Jeremy Shockey with Brees decided who to throw to based on matchups.  Pierre Thomas is a little gimpy going into this game so don’t look for him to have his usual workload.  Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory will likely get their fare share of touches in this game for the Saints.

When the Panthers have the ball:  The Panthers are going to come out running the ball against the Saints who are allowing 145.0 yards rushing and 4.4 yards per carry so far this year.  The Panthers averaged 180.0 yards rushing per game against the Saints as both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart had a lot of success.  The Saints must cheat up a bit to stop the running game because it’s very doubtful that Jimmy Clausen will have much success throwing the ball.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 31, PANTHERS 13