Football Gameplan's 2013 Seahawks vs Saints Video Preview

[Hawkscanner]

I honestly welcome 5 WR sets, that means there is no screen game and we can pin back our ears and get after Brees.

Actually, from my understanding the Saints employ screens quite a bit. Given the Seahawks speed on defense, that would make me pretty happy, as the Hawks are generally pretty good at blowing those up for a loss. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly can't remember a screen play against us that's really gone for big yardage this year.

 

[Polaris]

I honestly welcome 5 WR sets, that means there is no screen game and we can pin back our ears and get after Brees.

Actually, from my understanding the Saints employ screens quite a bit. Given the Seahawks speed on defense, that would make me pretty happy, as the Hawks are generally pretty good at blowing those up for a loss. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly can't remember a screen play against us that's really gone for big yardage this year.

I hope the Saints do screens. This year's Seahawks eat screens alive. Seattle's style of defense is a very bad matchup for the classic screen game.

 

[lukerguy]

I honestly welcome 5 WR sets, that means there is no screen game and we can pin back our ears and get after Brees.

Actually, from my understanding the Saints employ screens quite a bit. Given the Seahawks speed on defense, that would make me pretty happy, as the Hawks are generally pretty good at blowing those up for a loss. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly can't remember a screen play against us that's really gone for big yardage this year.

I wasn't saying they don't employ screens quite a bit, but with 5 WRs it's impossible to run a RB screen because it's 0-0 formation. The Hawks have done a great job versus the screen, but the Seahawks pass rushers may be undisciplined given the stage, and Sproles is tough to tackle.

The only screen I recall going for long yardage was the first game of the season versus Carolina where we actually caused a fumble on the play 25 yards down field (ET hit).

 

[Polaris]

I honestly welcome 5 WR sets, that means there is no screen game and we can pin back our ears and get after Brees.

Actually, from my understanding the Saints employ screens quite a bit. Given the Seahawks speed on defense, that would make me pretty happy, as the Hawks are generally pretty good at blowing those up for a loss. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly can't remember a screen play against us that's really gone for big yardage this year.

I wasn't saying they don't employ screens quite a bit, but with 5 WRs it's impossible to run a RB screen because it's 0-0 formation. The Hawks have done a great job versus the screen, but the Seahawks pass rushers may be undisciplined given the stage, and Sproles is tough to tackle.

The only screen I recall going for long yardage was the first game of the season versus Carolina where we actually caused a fumble on the play 25 yards down field (ET hit).

Seattle's D-Linemen and LBs are far and away the best against the Screen game. Seattle is #1 (by yardage) in screen defense (per NFL.com) by a full 1.5 yards per screen. In fact Seattle is far and away the best defensively against the screen and it's not particularly close.

 

[EmDiggy]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusion

- No Browner & Thurmond that's key starters..that then bumps the next 2 guys up, while they are solid, they're behind the aforementioned two for a reason. Plus, Browner's size gives the Hawks defense GREAT flexibility in how they matchup. SO that now puts normally Nickel & Dime guys on the Saints 2 & 3 WRs..that's ok..but the issue is the 4th WR which in all essence could be Lance Moore, Nick Toon (if active), Robert Meachem. Advantage: Saints

- No Greer is a HUGE blow to the Saints however, without Percy Harvin, is Baldwin, Lockett and/or Kearse really an advantage over White, Sweeting & Vaccaro? I'd say maybe..so Advantage: Seahawks

- TE play will be huge & I think that's a push b/c both teams have value at that position and both teams have defenders that can essentially match up vs those TEs

- Backs in the passing game is also key. Saints do a great job not only on screens with Thomas/Ingram but downfield passing with Sproles

- Biggest battle will be between which OL can hold up the longest. Both can dominate and look awful at times.. Push

To me Home/Away/Weather is irrelevant to an outcome of a game. It's going to be close.. I see maybe a 17-13 type game

 

[MissoulaHawkFan]

Excellent job as usual Em. I disagree with your pick ... but good analysis.

The one thing I would point out (and it seems a lot of people around the country have overlooked) is that the Saints are down in the secondary as well. Everyone focuses on the Hawks being without Browner (we've been without him since the Atlanta Game) and Thurmond ... but it seems like no one is talking about the fact that the Saints don't have Jabari Greer anymore. How will Greer's absence affect the Saints? That's a good question as well.

Getting Roman Harper back for the second game since week one is far more important than the loss of Greer. Harper's presence lessens the importance of the CB as they prefer the three safety sets. Corey White, a much more physical presence that Greer, can now play full-time as opposed to coming in only in the nickel.

Has Harper improved on his reads / keys from when we met in the Playoffs a couple years ago? Because he got smoked pretty bad on play-action a couple times, and we're even better at it with RW at QB now...

 

[Polaris]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusionTo me Home/Away/Weather is irrelevant to an outcome of a game. It's going to be close.. I see maybe a 17-13 type game

I don't know how you can say this, especially since the numbers say otherwise and remember that the Saints did face on the road a similiar sort of team (although I think we'd agree nowhere as good) in the NY Jets, and the Saints flunked that test.

As for counting two people out, Browner wasn't going to play anyway because of his groin injury (the suspensions have nothing to do with it), and Maxwell in particular is probably as good as Thurman.

 

[CANHawk]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusion

- No Browner & Thurmond that's key starters..that then bumps the next 2 guys up, while they are solid, they're behind the aforementioned two for a reason. Plus, Browner's size gives the Hawks defense GREAT flexibility in how they matchup. SO that now puts normally Nickel & Dime guys on the Saints 2 & 3 WRs..that's ok..but the issue is the 4th WR which in all essence could be Lance Moore, Nick Toon (if active), Robert Meachem. Advantage: Saints

- No Greer is a HUGE blow to the Saints however, without Percy Harvin, is Baldwin, Lockett and/or Kearse really an advantage over White, Sweeting & Vaccaro? I'd say maybe..so Advantage: Seahawks

- TE play will be huge & I think that's a push b/c both teams have value at that position and both teams have defenders that can essentially match up vs those TEs

- Backs in the passing game is also key. Saints do a great job not only on screens with Thomas/Ingram but downfield passing with Sproles

- Biggest battle will be between which OL can hold up the longest. Both can dominate and look awful at times.. Push

To me Home/Away/Weather is irrelevant to an outcome of a game. It's going to be close.. I see maybe a 17-13 type game

I can't watch the YouTubes at work, so I don't know exactly what all you said in the vid, but I really hope you aren't glossing over the run game being an all important factor. Seattle's running offense is #2 in the league (and gaining ground quickly on Was), while NO's run defense is bloody awful, being in the bottom third of the league in YPC (teams don't run on them a lot because they're usually playing from behind, given their high powered offense, so their YPG is artificially low IMO). Brees and Graham aren't going to be these huge factors if the Saints defense can't get off the field. Marshawn Lynch is going to GASH that defense tonight. Russell will probably even chip in 50 or so on the ground. THAT's the key matchup IMO and it's one that really doesn't look good for the Saints...

And dear sweet Guido... Did you really try to say that ROMAN HARPER is going to be some kind of X-Factor!? ROFLMFAO. Roman Harper is complete and total ASS! I didn't realize that guy was even still in the league... SMH.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Excellent job as usual Em. I disagree with your pick ... but good analysis.

The one thing I would point out (and it seems a lot of people around the country have overlooked) is that the Saints are down in the secondary as well. Everyone focuses on the Hawks being without Browner (we've been without him since the Atlanta Game) and Thurmond ... but it seems like no one is talking about the fact that the Saints don't have Jabari Greer anymore. How will Greer's absence affect the Saints? That's a good question as well.

Getting Roman Harper back for the second game since week one is far more important than the loss of Greer. Harper's presence lessens the importance of the CB as they prefer the three safety sets. Corey White, a much more physical presence that Greer, can now play full-time as opposed to coming in only in the nickel.

Has Harper improved on his reads / keys from when we met in the Playoffs a couple years ago? Because he got smoked pretty bad on play-action a couple times, and we're even better at it with RW at QB now...

Harper will not be involved in pass coverage. He will be playing run coverage. Watch Em's video to see how Harper is used.

 

[Polaris]

Excellent job as usual Em. I disagree with your pick ... but good analysis.

The one thing I would point out (and it seems a lot of people around the country have overlooked) is that the Saints are down in the secondary as well. Everyone focuses on the Hawks being without Browner (we've been without him since the Atlanta Game) and Thurmond ... but it seems like no one is talking about the fact that the Saints don't have Jabari Greer anymore. How will Greer's absence affect the Saints? That's a good question as well.

Getting Roman Harper back for the second game since week one is far more important than the loss of Greer. Harper's presence lessens the importance of the CB as they prefer the three safety sets. Corey White, a much more physical presence that Greer, can now play full-time as opposed to coming in only in the nickel.

Has Harper improved on his reads / keys from when we met in the Playoffs a couple years ago? Because he got smoked pretty bad on play-action a couple times, and we're even better at it with RW at QB now...

Harper will not be involved in pass coverage. He will be playing run coverage. Watch Em's video to see how Harper is used.

I saw the video. If they try a modified 3-3-5 against a back like Lynch, the Saints will be eaten alive....just like Ivory did in Week 9.

 

[lukerguy]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusion


- Biggest battle will be between which OL can hold up the longest. Both can dominate and look awful at times.. Push

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Obviously I'm biased, but I believe Seattle's starting 5 will dominate this game and commit to the run. I can't say NO will commit to the run if they experience some struggles out of the gates. The template for this win is exactly what NYJ's did: Run the ball, and pressure Brees; it's easier said than done but I like Seattle's OL and front 7 more and for that reason I think Seattle win's the game.

 

[lukerguy]

I saw the video. If they try a modified 3-3-5 against a back like Lynch, the Saints will be eaten alive....just like Ivory did in Week 9.

Yup.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusionTo me Home/Away/Weather is irrelevant to an outcome of a game. It's going to be close.. I see maybe a 17-13 type game

I don't know how you can say this, especially since the numbers say otherwise and remember that the Saints did face on the road a similiar sort of team (although I think we'd agree nowhere as good) in the NY Jets, and the Saints flunked that test.

As for counting two people out, Browner wasn't going to play anyway because of his groin injury (the suspensions have nothing to do with it), and Maxwell in particular is probably as good as Thurman.

The Saints faced the Jets without Marques Colston and Darren Sproles was injured on his first touch of the game. That is two of the three match-up nightmares that the Saints present. Roman Harper was also out that game. The current Saints roster is the healthiest it has been all season long. As for flunking the test, they lost by 6 points. Not bad with a depleted lineup.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Harper will not be involved in pass coverage. He will be playing run coverage. Watch Em's video to see how Harper is used.

I saw the video. If they try a modified 3-3-5 against a back like Lynch, the Saints will be eaten alive....just like Ivory did in Week 9.

Don't forget, Harper is a key factor in the 3-3-5 and he was not available. Apples and oranges.

 

[Polaris]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusionTo me Home/Away/Weather is irrelevant to an outcome of a game. It's going to be close.. I see maybe a 17-13 type game

I don't know how you can say this, especially since the numbers say otherwise and remember that the Saints did face on the road a similiar sort of team (although I think we'd agree nowhere as good) in the NY Jets, and the Saints flunked that test.

As for counting two people out, Browner wasn't going to play anyway because of his groin injury (the suspensions have nothing to do with it), and Maxwell in particular is probably as good as Thurman.

The Saints faced the Jets without Marques Colston and Darren Sproles was injured on his first touch of the game. That is two of the three match-up nightmares that the Saints present. Roman Harper was also out that game. The current Saints roster is the healthiest it has been all season long. As for flunking the test, they lost by 6 points. Not bad with a depleted lineup.

This was the NEW YORK JETS and I saw that game, and the Saints did flunk the test. You can say "they only lost by six" but the Jets are far below the level of either of our teams and I think you know that. The Saints should have blown them away.

You can't play three safeties and expect to stop the run. You run the defense that Em described and a power back of the Lynch style will run all over you. That's why you DON'T play a 3-3-5 against a RB like Lynch.

 

[CANHawk]

Wow! This is some awesome back-n-forth discussion! Here's how I came to the conclusion


- Biggest battle will be between which OL can hold up the longest. Both can dominate and look awful at times.. Push

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Obviously I'm biased, but I believe Seattle's starting 5 will dominate this game and commit to the run. I can't say NO will commit to the run if they experience some struggles out of the gates. The template for this win is exactly what NYJ's did: Run the ball, and pressure Brees; it's easier said than done but I like Seattle's OL and front 7 more and for that reason I think Seattle win's the game.

hrmmm... I don't know if you can make any sweeping statements about the Hawks O-Line being inconsistent this year because it's been total patchwork for most of the season; rookie at RT and a guard at LT... I'd say "inconsistent" is a borderline compliment for that group. I think with the 5 starters in though this O-Line is a top quality unit and has been fairly consistent. I'd put a question mark against Sweezy for his pass pro, but we're going to be pounding the rock all day, and he's as good as any of the other 4 guys run blocking. I like our odds in that battle.

 

[MysterMatt]

36 degrees is not that cold and there is very little chance at all of any precipitation. The biggest affect from bad weather on a passing game is the wind. That is a total non-factor tonight with max winds of 5 mph being forecast.

36 degrees is under forty and if it's raining it will feel a LOT colder. Trust me, I know this from experience. Also rain can be a big factor and the QB with the bigger hands and the team with the better running game has the advantage in rain. That's Seattle in both cases.

Check the forecast. Hardly any chance of rain during the game -20% changing to 0% during the game. Once again, if you feel like you need nature to assist then you are in trouble to begin with.

True. The better team with the better defense, running game, and quarterback will win, which is why the Saints will lose tonight.

 

[TwilightError]

Its Smurf Bowl time!

 

[AsylumGuido]

Has Harper improved on his reads / keys from when we met in the Playoffs a couple years ago? Because he got smoked pretty bad on play-action a couple times, and we're even better at it with RW at QB now...

Harper will not be involved in pass coverage. He will be playing run coverage. Watch Em's video to see how Harper is used.

I saw the video. If they try a modified 3-3-5 against a back like Lynch, the Saints will be eaten alive....just like Ivory did in Week 9.

I am actually expecting something more along the lines that Ryan used to shut down the 49ers' run game using more of a 3-5-3 and a 2-5-4 at times. That contained Kaepernick and shut down Gore. Although, having Harper back will allow him to act as that fifth LB on occasion.

 

[AsylumGuido]

36 degrees is not that cold and there is very little chance at all of any precipitation. The biggest affect from bad weather on a passing game is the wind. That is a total non-factor tonight with max winds of 5 mph being forecast.

36 degrees is under forty and if it's raining it will feel a LOT colder. Trust me, I know this from experience. Also rain can be a big factor and the QB with the bigger hands and the team with the better running game has the advantage in rain. That's Seattle in both cases.

Check the forecast. Hardly any chance of rain during the game -20% changing to 0% during the game. Once again, if you feel like you need nature to assist then you are in trouble to begin with.

True. The better team with the better defense, running game, and quarterback will win, which is why the Saints will lose tonight.

And that is why they play the game. You can think the Hawks defense, running game and QB are better, but until the game is played it is only speculation. And, by the way, a better defense and/or running game does not guarantee anything. And I honestly doubt many here, or anywhere, would believe that Russell Wilson is a better QB than Drew Brees at this point in time.