4 things Matt Rhule must get right at the Saints in Week 7
By Dean Jones
Target distribution on offense
The spotlight will be on Teddy Bridgewater more than ever on Sunday. He will be taking the field against his former team for the first time since his big-money move to the Carolina Panthers and this is yet another intriguing element to what promises to be a can’t miss clash between two good teams.
There is also the added element surrounding offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who spent time working as an assistant in New Orleans before moving to LSU, where he used a lot of Sean Payton’s offensive scheme to mastermind their passing attack to a National Championship in 2019.
Brady might have to get creative in order to get one over on Payton, who will be ultra-prepared coming off the bye week. Matt Rhule’s system at Baylor might also come into play here should the opportunity arise, which might open up the element of surprise a little more, if nothing else.
Target distribution is going to be key. Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore should be able to take advantage of the Saints’ suspect secondary, with the likes of Curtis Samuel, Mike Davis, and even Seth Roberts might also be in line for some prominent work to keep the chains moving.
Getting everything out quickly, much as Drew Brees does on the other side, is going to be a big factor. Anderson, Moore, and Samuel can get open quickly, which will be a bonus. But this might be the game where Carolina needs Ian Thomas more involved across the middle.