The New Orleans Saints will find themselves either in first place in the NFC South or in last place after Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
The two teams enter than game with identical 3-5 records. According to one analyst, the Saints' defense will be key to the Black-and-Gold getting the win and taking the division lead.
"You've got to stop the run and put them in passing situations," Saints play-by-play announcer Mike Hoss said to WWL's Tommy Tucker.
The Saints defense did that against the Cleveland Browns, consistently stopping the Browns on first- and second-down and setting up third-and-long situations. Hoss says if the Saints can do that against Carolina, the Saints defensive line will have a field day.
"Then you can unleash Chase Young and Carl Granderson, and no two people are playing better than Chase Young and Carl Granderson," Hoss said, referring to the defensive line duo that combined for seven tackles and three sacks against Cleveland. "It's really about first- and second down and keeping them being the sticks. Put them in obvious pass situations, and the Saints will be okay."
Hoss cautions that the Saints defense will have its work cut out for it on Sunday. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is 1-5 in his career against New Orleans, but Young's stat line shows he's coming into his own as an NFL quarterback.
"Bryce giveth, and Bryce taketh away," Hoss said. "Their passing offense is fourth in the NFL, 261 yards a game. They are a top-ten total offense."
Meanwhile, Hoss says the Saints running game, which recorded 168 yards last week, will be key to the team taking first place in the division on Sunday.
"The Saints will have to prove if they can do it back-to-back," Hoss said.
