It has been said that winning masks everything. The New Orleans Saints can’t allow that to be the case as they enter the bye week. Despite being on a two game winning streak, there’s still a lot of work to do.
The last two games may have each gone the Saints’ way, but they’re still 4-7. Teams with seven losses through 11 weeks need work, and New Orleans is no exception.
A high focus should be on developing a better connection between Derek Carr and his receivers, even without Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Alvin Kamara is dependable on the ground and he draws a ton of targets on checkdowns, but the passing attack is streaky. Veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has had a few splash plays, but he hasn’t been a consistent feature through the air. The Cleveland Browns took him out of the game plan in the second half last Sunday.
The passing attack was highlighted by stretching the field with Shaheed as well, but Olave had the ability to help march the ball down the field. New Orleans has to figure out who will play that role.
Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and the tight ends feel like a group that could fulfill that need. The inconsistencies passing the football at the intermediate level have led to the offense stalling for long periods.
That’s one negative that hasn’t disappeared despite the different results.
