For the last few years, Supagroup’s Chris Lee has been playing Madden versions of the next week’s Saints game on his Xbox. He has discovered that these “simulations”—as he refers to them to his wife—have been surprisingly accurate predictors of the real game results. With that in mind, he’ll predict this season’s Saints games for OffBeat and OffBeat.com. Here’s his look at September.—ED.
September 9 — Minnesota at New Orleans: Played the game with Brett Farve at QB, because really, does anybody really believe he’s not coming back? It turns out to be a defensive battle, with Adrian Peterson rushing for a TD and catching another. Pierre Thomas matches him with both a TD run and grab himself, as he keeps the chains moving. Saints 21-Vikings 14.
September 18 — New Orleans at San Francisco: SF’s D is tough to run against and loves to blitz, collecting two sacks and 2 picks. Frank Gore becomes the second back this season to rush for over 100 yards and poor tackling on the Saints’ part is becoming something of an upsetting trend. Too bad the Niners don’t have a corner they can leave on an island as Marques Colston kills them on play action and quick slants for over 200 yards and 3 TDs. Tracy Porter returns a pick six to seal the game late as the Saints win a game that was closer than the final score of Saints 35 – Forty-Niners 14.
September 25 — Atlanta at New Orleans: New Orleans has no answer for Michael Turner as he rumbles for 178 yards and a touchdown. Pierre Thomas does him one better with 2 TDs on the ground, while Drew Brees connects with Devery Henderson on a bomb at the end of the first half. Tracy Porter goes house with a 95-yard pick six with Atlanta down only 21-14 with less than a minute to go to end the scoring. Saints 28-Falcons 14.
Trends in the first three games: The rest of the league seems determined to win the time of possession battle against Brees and company with concerted running attacks, wonder why? Saints don’t seem able to stop it either. Saints D line is much tougher against the pass this year with at least three sacks in each game; secondary also has at least one pick in each game. The defense is definitely tough to pass against in nickel and dime situations with the addition of CB Patrick Robinson to Randall Gay and (assumed starter) Malcolm Jenkins at FS. Pierre Thomas seems out to prove he’s as good a number one back as any in the league with 5 TDs, while Brees continues to thrive although he’s under constant pressure. TEs and FBs play lights out in blitz situations, and it’s great having Heath Evans back. No one’s ever paying attention to him on the quick outs.
