Black & Gold Xs & Os: Saints Offensive Gameplan vs. the Cardinals

Nothing, aside from wearing the dreaded all-black unis, could possibly stop the Saints offense from rolling this Saturday afternoon at home in the Dome.

After film review of the Cardinals' defense, they just are not that good. They have talent, and their scheme is okay. They like to play fast and "fly to the football".

But this is the same defense that has been torched several times by Aaron Rodgers. And I'm sorry Antrel Rolle, it's not as if Aaron Rodgers is just that good (not to take anything away from him—he is a Pro Bowler).

But this is the same defense that got torched by Vince Young. Clearly, Young is not at the same level of Rodgers, who similarly is not at the same level as the QB Rolle and company will see on Saturday.

That man is Mr. Drew Brees. He led the league in almost every passing category this season. And for four years running he has been the best QB in the game.

I am not predicting a shootout as most people are. I am predicting actually a fairly one-sided game. That's right the Saints will blow the Cardinals out.

It will start with New Orleans getting the ball and taking it down the field and scoring a touchdown on the first possession, followed by an inspired defensive effort, then another score, and by then the Saints will Brees their way to another NFC Championship Game.

"Okay, okay, calm down!" You may say. You want to know why I would make such a bold prediction. Well sirs and mams, here is your answer...

Arizona plays a 3-4 defense, which the Saints struggled against this season when they played Miami and Dallas. The difference is the way in which Arizona plays their scheme.

They are not nearly as aggressive, although I guess that could change based on what those teams have done versus the Saints offense. Arizona rarely brings more than four to rush the quarterback. They like to play coverage and "fly to the football" as I mentioned previously.

Against run formations (any time there are two backs and/or two tight ends) they will bring SS Adrian Wilson into the box as a run defender. But he quickly bails out if he reads pass. Even with that extra man, instead of run blitzing, they simply play gap-assignment football.

But often times, because of their desire to play fast, players lose gap responsibility, which is when teams are able to run the football on them.

Additionally, Darnell Dockett is a good interior lineman, but he is not dominant and he can be had in the running game.

Finally, these run formations can lend themselves handy in play-action passing. Wilson will be overaggresive and you can hit some big plays over his head.

But for what it's worth, I expect to see more spread formations, where you're going at least 2x2. Empty packages work against this defense well.

Against 2x2, the Cardinals like to bracket, meaning they play man-to-man and have a safety play the middle of those two guys.

One of the best ways to beat this coverage is to send the outside receiver to the post and the inside guy behind him run to the corner. Another solid way to beat it is to run both players inside and bring your running back out of the backfield on swing/wheel routes.

And as is the case against any kind of cover-two defense, the middle of the field tends to be wide open. This means Marques Colston could have a big day working in the slot.

Then again, the Cardinals could game plan for that, which would leave someone like Meachem open on the hash outside seam break route (the route he caught the tying touchdown against Washington on).

In short, I would not fear the Cardinals pass rush. Instead I would empty out the backfield as much as possible and force the Cardinals to make a choice. If they choose coverage, Brees will eat it up. If they blitz, the Cardinals defenders cannot hold up against the speed of guys like Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem.

Reggie Bush should get many opportunities to catch passes on the outside and in space to make some things happen. I am excited to see the possibilities. This is pretty much the perfect opponent for the Saints to back on track against.

I can't wait to preview the NFC Championship Game next week, which I'm hoping will be a chance for revenge against the Cowboys. Until then, Geaux Saints!

If you want to read my defensive gameplan, click here .