3. BE SPECIAL (OR, AT LEAST, AVERAGE)
New Orleans' collective special team units arguably have been the worst-performing units on the team this season. Three missed field goals, a 95-yard punt return allowed, a punt blocked, a 60-yard kickoff return allowed and a roughing the kicker penalty are enough lows to cover an entire season. For all that to have occurred in four games is remarkable in the most non-complimentary way. Blake Grupe made field goals of 54 and 35 yards against Buffalo last Sunday, so maybe that operation has corrected. The other special team parts need to get there, all in the same game. A big return can help the offense and great coverage can benefit the defense. But even if nothing spectacular happens for the positive, don't do anything negative that undercuts.
4. BULLSEYE ON DARTS
The Giants won their first game with rookie Jaxson Darts starting at quarterback last week. Darts' inexperience solely won't guarantee success for the Saints' defense; he's mobile, mobile quarterbacks give NFL teams trouble and the Saints are an NFL team. But if New Orleans can confuse Darts and create indecision, the pass rush has a better chance to get home and edge rusher Carl Granderson (team-leading 4.5 sacks) will have a chance to add to his sack total. Dart won't have New York's best receiver, Malik Nabors, to help him (Nabors is out with a torn ACL). The Saints have to take advantage of the absence.
5. WIN THE CROWD
As Proximo to Maximus, the Saints have to do something to win the crowd and keep it. There was a decided 49ers flavor in the Superdome for the last home game but in order for that to not become a trend, New Orleans must find a way to rekindle the home fire. Nothing achieves that better than positive plays.