New Orleans Saints Week Five Preview: Seahawks
The New Orleans Saints (1-3) will return home after their trip to London to face off against the Seattle Seahawks (2-2) on Sunday afternoon. New Orleans will be looking to end a three-game losing skid after suffering losses to the Buccaneers, Panthers and Vikings.
Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints Game Information:
Current Records: Seattle Seahawks (2-2) @ New Orleans Saints (1-3)
Date/Time: October 9th @ 12:00 p.m. CT
Where: Caesar's Superdome; New Orleans, LA
Where to Watch: FOX (Commentators: Play-By-Play Brandon Gaudin, Analyst Matt Millen, Reporter Sarah Kustok)
Spread: Saints (-5.5)
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints Series History:
The Saints lead the all-time series against the Seahawks, 9-6. The two teams have met in 15 regular season matchups and New Orleans have won five out of the last meetings. New Orleans last played Seattle last season where the Saints took the 13-10 victory on the road at Lumen Field.
Previewing the Saints Heading into Week Five:
The last three weeks of the regular season hasn't been easy for New Orleans as they have lost three straight after winning the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints had to deal with some key players being out against the Vikings. Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas were held out against Minnesota in London.
Winston and Thomas remained as no participation in this week's injury reporting leading up to the matchup against Seattle. Kamara was listed a limited participant on Wednesday. Dennis Allen spoke on the injury updates on Winston and Thomas:
"He's (Michael Thomas) going to continue to rehab and work to get himself back out there. The key for him (Jameis Winston) is getting him healthy again and he's doing better."
If Winston is unable to go against the Seahawks, the Saints will turn to Andy Dalton once again. Dalton look poised in the pocket against the Vikings as he threw for 236 yards and a touchdown. Not only did Dalton have to step up for Winston, but Chris Olave had to step up in the absence of Thomas. Olave continued to add to his rookie season with four receptions on 67 yards and a touchdown.
The Saints found themselves in a 16-7 hole early on in the third quarter. New Orleans' offense hasn't been able to get off to a fast start the whole season as they have been down early in each of their fourth contests.
On the defensive side, the Saints defense will have their hands full with a Seattle offense reeling off a 48 point showing against the Detroit Lions. The black and gold defense allowed 344 total yards of offense to Minnesota. They were unable to get the timely stops after the Saints were able to either take the lead or tie the game late.
Scouting the Saints Opponent: Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks looked to be dead in the water after they traded away Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Seattle has started off their season, 2-2, with wins coming against the Broncos and the Lions. In the matchup against the Lions, the Seahawks offense had their ways putting up 48 points.
In that game against Detroit, the Seahawks offense put up 555 total yards of offense. Seattle's offense was led by Geno Smith and Rashaad Penny. Smith threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns as he continues to have an impressive 2022 campaign as the QB1 for Seattle. Penny had 17 carries for 151 yards and two touchdown in the win for Detroit.
D.K. Metcalf also showed out for the offense with seven receptions for 149 yards. Everything was going right for the Seattle offense in Detroit as the Lions defense had no answers for the balanced attack that the Seahawks were throwing at them.
On the other hand, the Seattle defense gave up 520 total yards of offense and 45 points to Detroit. The Seahawks lost one of their top defensive players, Jamal Adams, early on in the season. Seattle has plugged in Ryan Neal and Josh Jones into their rotation to be able to fill the hole that Adams left.
The Seahawks defense currently ranks 31st in points allowed (28.8 points per game), 28th in pass defense and 29th in run defense.
Prediction for Seahawks @ Saints:
Last year's matchup between these two teams was a defensive slugfest up in the pacific northwest. The Saints offense can't afford to have another slow start against a Seahawks defense that ranks at the bottom in defensive statistics.
Getting a healthy Kamara back will be crucial for the Saints offense to be able to run a balanced attack against a Seattle defense that struggles against the pass and the run. The black and gold offense looked strong, despite missing three of their key playmakers.
The Saints rushing defense currently ranks 28th in opponent rush play percentage and opponent rushes per game. Containing Rashaad Penny will be a key part in the Saints coming out with the victory against the Seahawks. New Orleans was able to limit Seattle's offense in 2021 and it will key for them to repeat that in this year's matchup.
Prediction: Saints 24, Seahawks 17
Photo Credit: Getty Images & New Orleans Saints
Tyler Eschette: Sports Scramble/CFB Coast 2 Coast, SEC Talk & Olde City Sports Network