Kirby Lee, Imagn/Greg Cooper AP
On paper, the New Orleans could potentially present more match up problems than the Buffalo Bills did last week.
New Orleans has a good skill group but the lack of a quarterback and inconsistent pass protection has been an issue.
The Patriots need to get creative with their match-ups, specifically on defense. If they do, they should be in good shape. Their front seven could have a big day today against the Saints.
Here are five match-ups to watch in today’s game.
Harold Landry vs. Taliese Fuaga: Landry has a distinct advantage over the second year right tackle. Fuaga has been good but he tends to struggle with speed guys who have first step quickness and can bend naturally and get underneath him. I expect the Patriots to run a lot of T-E stunts and bring edge pressure to confuse the Fuaga.
K’Lavon Chaisson vs. Kelvin Banks: Chaisson’s length could pose a problem for the rookie left tackle. Banks has been good but edge rushers who can extend and get under his pads are a problem. As I mentioned previously, this is a good week for the Patriots to play games with their edge players and bring edge pressure.
Christian Gonzalez vs. Chris Olave: Assuming Gonzalez isn’t ruled out prior to the game, this will be a match up to watch because Olave has the size and the speed to make big plays down the field. If the Patriots are going to play man coverage, this is a match up they have to win. The Saints big play potential is a concern. That is why New England will play more coverage today than blitz a ton.
Hunter Henry vs. Justin Reid: On paper, this is one of the more important match ups in the game because Reid will end up matched up on Henry a bunch in this game, especially in the Ted zone. Reid is a good cover safety who can match up and carry routes vertically. Expect these two to see a lot of each other in this game.
Patriots Front 7 vs. Alvin Kamara: Kamara is still one of the top backs in the league and a player who could impact the game both as a runner and as a receiver. The Patriots run defense has been terrific thus far so they could bottle him up as a runner. It is as a receiver where he will pose match up problems. The Patriots will struggle to match up with him out of the backfield and it could be an issue.