New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers: The big picture

Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNISSaints defensive players prepare for another snap during the second half of their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Since 1951, only two teams have allowed more yardage in their first three games than the 2012 Saints. They were the 1978 Baltimore Colts (1,452) and 2006 Houston Texans (1,451). Show caption
Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNISSaints defensive players prepare for another snap during the second half of their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Since 1951, only two teams have allowed more yardage in their first three games than the 2012 Saints. They were the 1978 Baltimore Colts (1,452) and 2006 Houston Texans (1,451).

October 02, 2012

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WHERE THEY STAND

In case you haven’t heard, the Saints are one of only two teams in the NFL at 0-3. Cleveland, the other winless team, was supposed to be a bottom-feeder. The Saints were supposed to be playoff contenders.

COMING UP

The Saints hit the road this week to face the Packers at Lambeau Field. After that, they’ll host the Chargers in a Sunday night game on Oct. 7.

JOB WELL DONE
RB Pierre Thomas

WHAT HE’S DONE: OK, so he only had 11 rushing yards last week. But he only got six carries as the Saints abandoned their ground game. Thomas also had 55 receiving yards on four catches, and very nearly made an acrobatic touchdown catch (officials ruled it incomplete after an instant-replay challenge).
WHAT’S NEXT : Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram face a stout front seven in Green Bay. The Saints will have to commit to the run, and Thomas is capable making tough gains. He is averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

ON THE SPOT
SS Roman Harper

WHAT HE’S DONE: It’s not fair to pile all the blame on Harper — or, for that matter, anyone else. The Saints’ front seven struggled against the run last week, putting more pressure on Harper to make tackles and clean up the mess. But he’s also a leader in a secondary that ranks 25th in the NFL against the pass.

WHAT’S NEXT: It doesn’t get easier. First, the Saints have to do a better job against the Green Bay ground game and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And although the Packers offense is struggling, it’s more than capable of waking up in a must-win game.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

56.7 The Saints’ third-down conversion percentage in 2011, best in the NFL.

37.8 The Saints’ third-down conversion percentage this season. They rank 19th in the NFL.

68.5 Drew Brees’ completion percentage through three games last season, when he threw for 1,059 yards.

54.7 Brees’ completion percentage through the first three weeks this season. Brees has completed 75 of 137 passes. He has 904 passing yards.

WORTH REPEATING

“We have to do a better job coaching, we have to do a better job playing and then things will turn around. If we look for other things to happen, it’s not there. That’s what it comes down to.”

—Aaron Kromer

NFC SOUTH: JUDGMENT CALLS

Falcons: UP

WHAT THEY’VE DONE: Atlanta is one of only two NFC teams to start 3-0 this season (Arizona is the other). The Falcons have allowed only 48 points in three games.

Buccaneers: DOWN

WHAT THEY’VE DONE: The Bucs took Carolina by surprise in the season opener, but lost two road games to the Giants and Cowboys. Both losses were tossups in the fourth quarter.

Panthers: DOWN

WHAT THEY’VE DONE: Aside from that win over the Saints ... Not much. Cam Newton struggled in the opener at Tampa Bay, then threw three interceptions in a loss to the Giants.