The New Orleans Saints continue their 2021 regular season with a matchup against the New York Jets. New Orleans hasn’t been able to win a game since Jameis Winston went down with an ACL injury. Injuries have really roughed this squad up and have fans wondering if a playoff push is even worth it anymore or if it’s better to just tank. A loss to the Jets could really clear that decision up though.
According to ESPN, the Saints have had been hit with the second most number of injuries in the league this year, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. This squad is missing crucial pieces on both sides of the field, yet they always find ways to remain competitive in games. Taysom Hill is widely expected to get his second start at quarterback this season, but does have an injured middle finger on his throwing hand that clearly affected him last week. If he suffers some sort of setback, expect Trevor Siemian to step into the role again and try to get a win. Alvin Kamara is going to be returning, a major boost to this offense for sure. However, Mark Ingram won’t be in the lineup after testing positive for COVID. This is about how it’s been all year long, get one guy back and lose another. Sticking with the offense, Kenny Stills was also released, taking one more receiver off this roster. Flipping over to the defense, they have been great given the circumstances. They will see Chauncey Gardner Johnson hit the field for the first time in weeks in this one, he just got taken off the injured reserve. Overall, the Saints have a strong defense and literally nothing going for them on offense. This could be a determining factor to see which way this season could be heading.
As for the Jets, they are clearly rebuilding. They are the worst team in the league statistically despite the fact that they have three wins. Zach Wilson should be slotted in at quarterback, and he has had a bit of an up and down rookie season to say the least. Looking at their offensive weapons, they don’t have much. Corey Davis won’t be active in this game and neither will Michael Carter to my knowledge. This leaves them with minimal to work with, though Elijah Moore is an absolute star at wideout for them. Defensively, they have been disappointing due to Robert Saleh supposedly being the defensive guru that would turn them around.
In my opinion, with the way this season has turned, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose this ball game. Injuries are just too much to overcome right now and nobody in that locker room may have much motivation to really come out and deliver given how bad momentum is pushed the other way. At the end of the day though, the Saints are a better team than the Jets right now and should walk away with the victory to jump up to 6-7 on the year. They will still be behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the division, as they enter a rough match with the Buffalo Bills. Though after what the New England Patriots did to them last week, Tampa has a nice chance of winning.