The New Orleans Saints head into Sunday’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers riding a five-game win streak.
The 49ers have several players out due to injury but still have been a competitive team.
Here are three ways the Saints can keep that streak going Sunday when the team's face off Sunday afternoon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome:
Continue to stop the run:
The Saints are on the very of setting an NFL record for consecutive games without allowing an individual 100-yard rusher. Counting the playoffs, the New Orleans defense hasn’t allowed a runner to top the century mark in 51 games matching a streak set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1972-76.
Despite injuries to ball carriers, the 49ers have still managed to lead the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns and average 4.4 yard per carry, tying them for the ninth best mark in the NFL.
Saints linebacker Demario Davis said it will be vital for New Orleans to have their eyes right.
“Especially when they're doing turbos and motions and shifts, and all the different things and they do a lot,” he said. “Make sure that we're having our eyes in the right place. But also just playing with a ton of energy and being physical.
“They have a really good football team, and do a good job calling plays and getting the matchups they want. We've got to be locked in, disciplined and running to the football."
Limit explosive plays:
The 49ers are currently fifth in NFL with 131 play going for at least 10 yards. that number includes six passing plays that have gone for more than 40 yards which is tied for fourth in the NFL.
Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins said San Francisco has a lot of weapons and that the Saints secondary will have to be sharp.
“Big discipline,” Jenkins said. “We have to be good with our eyes. And just watch your man."
Another key to limiting the big plays will be for players like Malcolm Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore to continue to play at their recent level.
Saint defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said he’s seen improved play in recent games from Lattimore.
“I don't think it's any secret that when he's playing at the top of his game, we're playing that much better defensively,” Allen said. “Yes, I've seen him playing more to his potential the last couple weeks and we've been better for it defensively. The key for Marshon is that let's have that level of execution week in and week out. That's continuing to be the process that we go through with him."
Follow up last week’s offensive performance:
Alvin Kamara has been on a roll this season and is still leading the NFL with 1,036 yards from scrimmage.
In recent weeks, the Saints have gotten healthier with receiver Michael Thomas returning the lineup, but have also seen players like Taysom Hill find more of a groove.
Hill has tallied 140 yards from scrimmage in the Saints last two games after tallying 75 through New Orleans first six games.
Kamara said that Hill’s play has been very valuable in recent weeks.
"Because at the end of the day, people talk about, oh, why are we doing that? Why are we doing this? But, teams still have to stop it,” he said. “I know when Drew (Brees) lines up at quarterback (there) is a possibility he's going to throw the ball. When Taysom lines up, he can throw the ball, they think he's going to run it, they have to stop both, they have to figure out what to do with him. And it's something that I think it's an asset to our game plan, week in and week out.”
