5 Bold Predictions for New Orleans Saints' Week 9 Matchup
The New Orleans Saints will take on the Carolina Panthers in a crucial Thursday night road contest, as both squads attempt to seize control of the NFC South.
New Orleans is just four days removed from a decisive Sunday night victory over the Green Bay Packers, and head coach Sean Payton's club is now seeking its first winning streak of the season.
The Saints, who were a strong favorite to win the division before the season began, have been quite the up-and-down team thus far in 2014. They've struggled defensively for the majority of the season while miscues on offense have played a big role in some close losses.
New Orleans will be looking to score its first road win of the season on Thursday night, as Payton's squad attempts to capitalize on the momentum from Sunday's big win.
Here are five bold predictions for Thursday night's showdown.
Mark Ingram Will Eclipse 100 Yards Rushing for the Second Straight Game
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A 2011 first-round draft pick, Mark Ingram has experienced a rather rocky career in New Orleans.
After two disappointing seasons, he started to show signs of promise in 2013, and he finished the season averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Ingram began this season in impressive fashion, as he turned in two quality performances against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. He injured his hand in the Saints' loss at Cleveland, however, and was sidelined for three games.
In his return against the Detroit Lions, he found the going extremely tough, as the Lions' dominant defensive front overwhelmed the New Orleans rushing attack and limited Ingram to 16 yards on the ground.
But last week against the Packers, the former Heisman Trophy winner proved his worth again with a prolific performance. With Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson out with injuries, Ingram was New Orleans' lone option as a between-the-tackles runner, and he seized the moment with his best performance in a Saints uniform.
He ran roughshod over the Packers defense, finishing with an eye-popping 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, thus earning strong consideration for a more featured role in the Saints offense.
This week, Ingram will likely face a stiffer challenge from the homestanding Panthers, but if the Saints continue to feed him the ball, good things could happen.
Cam Jordan Will Have Another Multiple-Sack Game
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Defensive end Cam Jordan was the Saints' other first-round pick in 2011, and after two underwhelming seasons, he had a breakout year in 2013.
He led the Saints with 12.5 sacks, and he was on the verge of NFL stardom when he entered the 2014 season.
Things haven't worked out as planned this year, as Jordan had only one sack heading into the Green Bay game. He disappeared for long stretches throughout the Saints' first six games, and he hardly resembled the relentless pass-rusher who terrorized opposing quarterbacks in 2013.
Against the Packers, however, Jordan showed up in a big way. He registered two sacks of Aaron Rodgers, and he appeared to have regained some of the passion he displayed throughout last season.
Three of Carolina's starting offensive linemen, including left tackle Byron Bell, are listed as out for the game, according to Panthers.com. This bodes well for Jordan, who could use Sunday night's quality showing as a jump-start to a solid season.
Kasim Edebali Will Make an Impact
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Who is Kasim Edebali?
Numerous Saints fans were likely asking themselves this question following Sunday's dismantling of Green Bay.
The rookie outside linebacker stood out as a noticeable presence on the New Orleans defense, and he recorded two sacks while seeing action in a relief role.
A former Boston College standout, Edebali went undrafted this past spring, but he was signed by New Orleans to a free-agent deal. After besting a number of competitors for a roster spot in August, the native of Germany now has a chance to make an impact for the second straight game.
Consistency is often one of the biggest obstacles for NFL rookies, but if Edebali turns in another solid outing this week, the Saints could have another promising pass-rusher on their hands.
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Corey White and Patrick Robinson Will Make Big Plays for the Saints
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New Orleans cornerbacks Corey White and Patrick Robinson have each endured some rough moments this season, and that's putting it rather lightly.
Both have had stints as the No. 2 outside corner opposite Keenan Lewis, and both have been beaten soundly for entire games by opposing receivers.
White currently mans the spot although Robinson, who's battled a recent injury, still plays in nickel and dime situations.
While these two cover men have each had their struggles, they've both been resilient, and neither appears to have lost confidence.
White is actually coming off his best game of the season against the Packers. Yes, Rodgers and his receiving corps piled up the yards, but White was involved in some big plays for the Saints with the Packers in the red zone.
Robinson, meanwhile, pulled off perhaps the top play of the season by a New Orleans defensive back when he stretched out to make a diving interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
Both of these players have their shortcomings as press-man cover corners, but they each have the ability to make plays in key moments of the game. Look for both to step up on Thursday night.
The Saints Will Claim a Victory on the Road
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With an 0-4 record as visitors this season, the Saints' struggles on the road appear to have reached an all-time high.
Granted, winning on the road is difficult in the NFL, but there's been a profound disparity between New Orleans' on-field product as the home team compared to when it's on the road.
The Saints went 3-5 on the road both 2012 and 2013, and they've now lost seven straight regular-season games when playing the visiting role.
New Orleans fell to the Panthers in the Saints' last visit to Carolina when Cam Newton and Co. won a key matchup on their way to the division title.
Why will things be any different this time?
For starters, New Orleans has been knocking on the door so hard all season, it eventually has to come down. Of the Saints' four road losses this year, three of them (Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit) have been by a combined six points.
New Orleans was blown out by Dallas on Sunday Night Football in Week 4, but the Saints have been in position to win their other three road games this season, and they practically had victory snatched away from them in the closing minutes at Detroit.
The Saints also have momentum on their side after Sunday night's victory, and they'll attempt to carry it over into Thursday's contest after an extra short week of preparation.
The chance of all these predictions coming true is admittedly slim, but don't be surprised if a few of them come to fruition Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints clash with the Carolina Panthers.
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