3 problems Saints must fix before their Week 13 game against Rams

The New Orleans Saints will return from their bye week and host the Los Angeles Rams. The Saints must fix some things in order to win a third straight game.

The last three weeks have been great for the New Orleans Saints. After hitting rock bottom with a loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, the team has been climbing in the right direction. New Orleans ended its seven-game losing streak in Week 10, then picked up another win in Week 11. In Week 12, the Saints finally got to rest with a bye week, and now the team is returning ready to finish the season strong.

On Sunday, New Orleans will be looking for a third straight win. While the Saints have won their last two games, including a blowout in Week 11, they still have a ton of things to improve. Here are three specific areas they need to address before they take the field in Week 13.

3. Saints defense must limit big plays

Against the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans only gave up 14 points, which was the second-best outing of the season for the defense. However, that low point total had a lot to do with Cleveland kicker Dustin Hopkins missing two field goals, because the Saints gave up 443 total yards to the Browns.

Many of these yards came on big plays, like an 89-yard passing touchdown. Allowing explosive plays has been a trend for the Saints defense this season, but if the team is going to defeat the Rams on Sunday, they must limit those big plays.

2. Saints need to cut down on penalties

Another issue New Orleans has faced this year, even in the last two wins, is penalties. In Week 11 against Cleveland, the Saints were penalized five times for 41 yards. The Browns, on the other hand, were flagged three times for 14 yards. In the Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans had eight accepted penalties for 76 yards, compared to Atlanta’s six penalties for 45 yards.

Penalties are costly in sports, especially for a struggling team like the Saints. New Orleans needs to make sure it isn’t beating it self in Week 13.

1. Saints need more wide receiver production

With Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave both sidelined, the explosive Marquez Valdes-Scantling has put the wide receiver room on his back. The problem, though, is no other receivers have emerged. Against Cleveland, the other receivers combined for two catches for 27 yards.

While it’s great the Saints have running backs and tight ends that can help out in the passing game, it’d be nice to get more out of the other wideouts on the roster.