The Seattle Seahawks are looking like a force to be reckoned with as they head into their Week 3 matchup against the winless New Orleans Saints. And let’s be real, most analysts are going to pick Seattle to win this one, and for good reason. But before we count the Saints out, it’s worth noting that they’re not as bad as their record might suggest. They’ve got 53 professional football players on their roster, after all, and they’ve been playing some decent football despite what the scoreboard says.
One area where the Saints are actually holding their own is in preventing explosive plays. They’re nearly on par with the Seahawks and even the Green Bay Packers in this department, which is no small feat. According to ESPN NFL data analyst Sam Hoppen, the Packers have given up the fewest percentage of explosive plays so far this season at 3.7%, with the Saints coming in second at 4.5% and the Seahawks at 5.9%. That’s some impressive company for New Orleans.
But when it comes to creating explosive plays on offense, the Seahawks have a clear advantage. They’re hitting an explosive play on 14.7% of their offensive snaps, which is good for third in the NFL. The Saints, on the other hand, are struggling to create big plays, with just 5.6% of their offensive snaps resulting in explosive yardage. That’s a big difference, and it’s one that could make all the difference on the scoreboard.
It’s also worth noting that the Seahawks have yet to allow an explosive run against their defense, which is a testament to their strength in that area. The Saints, on the other hand, have been getting most of their explosive plays through the run game, but even that’s been limited to just 1.4%. Their passing game is a bit better, with a 4.2% rate of explosive plays, but that still ranks 31st in the NFL.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “But what about the Saints’ opponents so far this season?” Well, let’s take a look. They’ve faced the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, both of which have above-average defenses. The 49ers, in particular, were without some key players in Week 2, but they still rank 10th defensively. The point is, the Saints have been facing some tough defenses, and their inability to create explosive plays is a legitimate concern.
And now they’re going to face one of the better defenses in the NFL in the Seahawks. Seattle has prevented explosive plays against some average offenses, yes, but they’ve also shown a ability to rush the passer and create their own big plays. That’s a combo that could spell trouble for the Saints, especially given their struggles to create explosive plays on offense.
All in all, it looks like the Seahawks have a significant advantage in this one. Their strengths in rushing the passer and creating explosive plays should give them an edge on the scoreboard, and it’s hard to see the Saints keeping up. Of course, as the old saying goes, “any given Sunday,” but it’s looking like the Seahawks are the team to beat in this matchup.
