Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know the New Orleans Saints before Week 15
By Cullen Jekel
On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) head to Louisiana to face the New Orleans Saints (10-3) in a possible Super Bowl LV preview.
The Kansas City Chiefs, riding an eight-game winning streak, will battle the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints this Sunday afternoon. Last weekend, the Saints had their nine-game winning streak snapped in a 24-21 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both the Chiefs and Saints are battling injuries this late in the season, but both teams still very much need this victory, the Chiefs to hang on to the AFC’s No. 1 seed over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Saints to keep pace with the Green Bay Packers, also 10-3 (and who play on Saturday against the Panthers).
To get to know the Saints better, I’ve reached out to Nathan Beighle from Who Dat Dish, FanSided’s site solely dedicated to the Saints. Make sure to check it out to get to know the Saints better as Nathan & Co. have some excellent articles over there.
I need to mention that Brees hadn’t been announced as the starter when I reached out to Nathan. Now, to our conversation:
Right this moment, how confident are you in this Saints squad?
Nathan: “I’m confident that they can compete. At what level is important, and this game against Kansas City will really show if they can be up for the task of taking their roster to the next level.”
Piggybacking off Question 1, what are your expectations for the postseason?
Nathan: “As has been a trend the past few seasons, expectations are high — one reason the team has let them drop drastically the last few seasons. I’m keeping mine low to be hopefully shocked.”
I have a nephew who lived in New Orleans for years and he’s a huge Saints fan. What reason or reasons can you give him so he can be excited about this organization’s future?
Nathan: “There’s just depth everywhere. Safety, linebacker, defensive line, all over the offense — this team has it all. The quarterback should be a real concern, as should be who will eventually be Sean Payton’s heir if he steps down in the next few seasons as well. They’ve been a well-oiled machine with their staples, and it’s time for a changing of the guard. So far so good, but the major pieces still need to be brought in.”
Who on defense needs to play his A-game in order to slow down the Chiefs’ offense?
Nathan: “[Safety] Marcus Williams has to play his A-game. No one can guard [Tyreek] Hill, and I don’t expect [corner] Marshon Lattimore to do it himself. That safety help will be crucial, and having Williams helping over the top will be crucial.”
Trey Hendrickson had 6.5 career sacks coming into this season, and he’s got 10.5 in 2020 alone. What’s enabled him to break out?
Nathan: “It’s really just been the opportunity. [Defensive end Marcus] Davenport missed the first several games, and by the time he returned, Hendrickson had proven to be the superior option. Ever since he was drafted in 2018, Davenport had been the hopeful star, and since Hendrickson has shown his potential, he’s taken that title. Also having Cam Jordan double teamed on the opposite side helps too.”