Quarterback Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints offense hope to be syncing at right time
‘We’re all just getting more comfortable with each other. This is some of the things that we saw in training camp that we could be’
It wouldn’t be wise to assume that the New Orleans Saints offense’s issues have all been resolved.
However, in the last two games, the unit has performed admirably when called upon, which
is a big part of the reason the Saints (7-7) have won two straight heading into Thursday night’s
game against the Rams (7-7) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Despite having identical records, New Orleans and Tampa Bay are now ahead in the
NFC South Division as a result of their victory in the first of their two meetings. Next up, the
two teams will square off in Tampa, Florida on New Year’s Eve.
In the meantime, the Saints’ offense has triumphed against Carolina 28-6 and the Giants 24-6 in a
row, scoring three touchdowns in the process. Rewinding the clock one more week, New Orleans
scored four touchdowns in a 33-28 loss to Detroit. Over the previous three weeks, the team has scored 10 touchdowns.
The Saints have had this kind of run twice this season: in Weeks 8–10, they scored five touchdowns
against Indianapolis, three against Chicago, and two against Minnesota.
“We’re all just getting more comfortable with each other,” quarterback Derek Carr said.
“This is some of the things that we saw in training camp that we could be.
“It’s been clicking for us. Everyone is on the same page, everyone is doing their job.
That sounds so cliché, but that’s a big part of it. Everybody just does their job, is at the right
spot when you need them, the quarterback getting the ball to them – all those things.
“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been nice to see what it can be and what we’re hoping to improve on, also.
Everybody is doing their job at a high level, and that’s what it takes to win, especially late in an NFL season.”
Carr led the Saints in a red zone surge that has seen them score nine touchdowns in their
last ten trips to the red zone over the last three games. Carr is coming off of his greatest
performance as a Saint (23 of 28 for 218 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions).
He has completed six throws for touchdowns in the red zone, including a 23-yarder to tight end Juwan Johnson, and five red zone touchdowns overall (three to tight end Jimmy Graham). Carr has completed 7 of 8 throws for 38 yards and 5 touchdowns in red zone drives.
He said the unit can continue to improve.
“Really, everything,” he said. “We can start better on our first drives. I think our second drives have been good, third drive we get going. There’s some things there we can do better.
“We can always improve on third down (39.1 percent this season), that’s going to be tough no matter who you’re playing. We can always improve there.
“For me, just you’re feeling better, the timing is better, guys are in there that you’re used to and all that stuff – the accuracy and the efficiency. Those things that, until I’m done playing football, are things that we can always improve on.”
For this game, the improvement will have to come in a short week that includes a long trip.
“There have been times after a game when you’re really frustrated and you think, ‘I’m glad I don’t have to wait until Sunday.'” And then, following a successful team game, you ask, “Can we play today?” stated Carr. You feel terrific, so you want to go back out there.
“I truly believe that it’s a mindset issue. You must make Thursdays your focus. Whether you like it or not, they are going to happen. To have a wonderful day, you also need to put in the necessary effort and energy”
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