When the Patriots and Saints meet up in Week 5, don't bet on fireworks.
Through four games each, New Orleans and New England have combined for 11 total touchdowns. Both teams rank in the bottom 10 in that regard, and both teams were held in the single digits during frustrating Week 4 losses.
But is that just the state of things for these teams in 2023? Former Patriots and Saints WR Chris Hogan sure hopes it isn't, which he explained on the latest episode of Inside Black & Gold.
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"I think what a lot of these offenses and their early struggles in the beginning part of the season … I think these teams are still trying to figure out their identity," Hogan said, "who they’re going to be as an offense."
Hogan certainly knows a thing or two about effective offense, having played in three consecutive Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots from 2016-2018. He still owns the franchise record for receiving yards in a playoff game with his 180-yard performance in an AFC Championship win over the Steelers. He caught 4 passes for 57 yards in the ensuing Super Bowl, the meme-famous 28-3 comeback against the Falcons. The following year he logged 6 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in a Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
He spent time with the Cardinals in the 2020 season before shifting to pro lacrosse, but then the Saints came calling in 2021. He appeared in five games for New Orleans that season, which included a relocation to Dallas due to Hurricane Ida, catching a touchdown in the season opener, which was played in Jacksonville.
Sean Payton was still calling the plays at that point, but Hogan was able to work closely with Pete Carmichael during that time, the man who is now calling plays for the Saints under head coach Dennis Allen and who has found himself in the crosshairs amid the current offensive struggles.
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"I have the utmost respect for Pete and him as a coach. I think as an offensive coordinator, especially when you get complete control of an offense, you try to figure out your offense’s identity, and I think that changes every single year," Hogan said.
One change that will be a key to watch this coming week is adjustments for Alvin Kamara, who returned from suspension in Week 4. The Saints now have to adjust to how teams are playing him and get Derek Carr on track. Carmichael has been quick to put the blame on himself for those struggles, and Hogan is confident that will happen for Carmichael and Co. before long.
"I think Pete’s going to figure it out," Hogan said. "I mean, he’s got a lot of talented players on that offense and a lot of guys who he wants to get the ball in their hands. ... You want everyone to touch it because there are so many explosive players on that offense, so I think it’s really just kind of figuring out the best way of going about that throughout the season. I think you’ll start to see things get better and better as the season goes on.”
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