There are certain things every adult has to do that they might not enjoy, it's just a fact of life, and right now watching the Saints' first half offense is high on that list.
WWL Radio's Bobby Hebert had a colorful way to describe that experience in his postgame rant after the Saints' disappointing 31-24 loss to the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football to fall to 3-4 on the season.
Listen to Bobby Hebert's full postgame rant in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
"You know, I just recently got a root canal," Hebert said, "and watching the Saints in the first half against the Texans and the first half against the Jaguars, I think I’d rather have a root canal every week.”
It was frustrating to say the least, with the Saints offense bogging down for just a pair of field goals despite the Jaguars turning the ball over twice, the second time in the red zone on a muffed punt. It's continued a disturbing trend in the red zone, with five consecutive trips inside the 20 ending without a touchdown until Taysom Hill powered in on 4th down to help spur a second-half rally that fell short in the final minute.
The Saints cashed in for scores on two second-half trips, but saw four pass attempts from inside the 10 fall incomplete in the end zone with an opportunity to send the game to overtime. The Saints had overcome a 15-point deficit and got the ball back in a tie game, but were unable to get over the hump. The Saints haven't led for a minute the past two games and have allowed 17 points in the first half of each.
“You’ve got to be able to score touchdowns," Hebert said. "So yea, it is the stink zone, dead zone, however you want to describe it.”
For the second consecutive week the Saints rolled up more than 400 yards of offense in a losing effort. They're now 9 of 24 on red zone trips this season (37.5%), a figure that ranks No. 28th in the NFL. The Jaguars, meanwhile, were 2-of-2 on those opportunities, which is what spurred them to victory despite being outgained and losing the turnover battle. They cashed in for a touchdown on their one takeaway with Foyesade Oloukun returning a Derek Carr interception for a touchdown.
“I would say with coach Pederson and Trevor Lawrence, they’re trending in the right direction, whereas the Saints look like at times, especially in the first half, like we’re an expansion team," Hebert continued. "They’re definitely an expansion team in the red zone."
The Saints now have 10 days to re-evaluate and get things on track before facing off with the Indianapolis Colts, who are expected to start backup Gardner Minshew with rookie Anthony Richardson out for the year with a shoulder injury.
