Usually, a visit to Foxborough to face one of many best coaches in NFL historical past can be a scary proposition for groups. This isn’t the identical Patriots juggernaut in years previous although. The workforce has had very comparable points transferring on from a Corridor of Fame quarterback because the Saints. This needs to be a superb measuring stick for each groups. Fortunately for the New Orleans Saints, this out of doors recreation will happen early within the 2023 NFL common season. In week 5, the Saints will journey and face the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 8. That is the breakdown of the New Orleans Saints on the New England Patriots for Week 5 of the 2023 NFL Common Season.

Week 5: Saints at Pats

The similarities between these two groups are straightforward to see. Each groups had been quarterbacked by future Corridor of Fame quarterbacks for a lot of seasons. Tom Brady and Drew Brees had been two of the very best to ever play the place and each groups have had hassle replicating their success. The Patriots are persevering with with the Mac Jones mission however have probably not given him a lot assist at go catcher. Signing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki this low season ought to assist. In the meantime, the Saints tried and failed the Jameis Winston mission and have now moved on to Derek Carr. Carr and Jones will likely be examined early subsequent season and must make progress or threat shedding religion from the followers and entrance workplace who’re accustomed to greatness below middle.

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Each completed third of their division whereas leaning on the defensive aspect of the ball so it’s the offense that should enhance. Each groups had been middling on offense. The Patriots scored the eighth most factors within the AFC whereas the Saints scored the twelfth fewest within the NFC. Neither workforce was nice at scoring although because the Patriots had simply 34 extra factors whole than the Saints final season. Talent place was a serious problem for the Patriots as no receiver had greater than 805 yards catching. For the Saints although, Chris Olave was a standout in his rookie season, placing up over 1,000 yards. On the bottom it was the alternative. Rhamondre Stevenson went over 1,000 yards on the bottom whereas the Saints didn’t have anybody with over 900 yards. This needs to be a aggressive, early-season battle between these two groups.

Defensive battle incoming

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These two groups have many issues in widespread, particularly with how they gained video games final season. General, the Saints allowed the fifth fewest yards per recreation within the NFL whereas the Patriots allowed simply the ninth. Neither the Patriots nor the Saints protection are more likely to be worse this season both. The Saints misplaced function gamers comparable to Kaden Ellis, Shy Tuttle, and David Onyemata. Changing these gamers will likely be veterans Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in addition to newly drafted Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. As for the Patriots, anticipate a really comparable defensive look as final season. There was no vital turnover for the Patriots on protection however they did spend their first three rounds of draft picks on protection. After all, neither workforce’s problem was on the defensive aspect of the ball.

The Patriots actually set out this low season to enhance their offensive line. They drafted three offensive linemen in rounds 4 and 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Additionally they signed Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff. The Patriots new-look line will get examined early by the Saints entrance, who had the fifth most sacks within the NFL final yr. After all, the Saints had been very energetic in attempting to enhance their offense with the signing of Carr and Jamaal Williams. The Saints offensive line higher be prepared for this matchup although because the Patriots had the third most sacks within the NFL final season. Lots of the Saints sack points final season had been as a result of again quarterback play, however the Patriots protection actually pressures opposing offenses. If Carr and the Saints offense haven’t gelled by week 5, this might be a low scoring defensive battle in Foxborough.

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