This is not your typical final preseason game. New Orleans Saints Coach Kellen Moore said on Thursday most of the starters will play. So we will get to see the likes of Alvin Kamara, Erik McCoy, Juwan Johnson, Davon Godchaux, Chase Young, Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson, Demario Davis, and Pete Werner for the first time in the preseason. More specifically, Spencer Rattler will get the start at quarterback, so he will get one more opportunity with the ones to prove his case for starting the opener against Arizona in two weeks. Can the Saints get the run game going early, taking some pressure off of Rattler and setting up the play action pass? It has been a bit of a struggle in the first two games, but Kamara also did not play in the games. We'll see if he can make an impact. Personally, I'm excited to see the first team defense go up against the new look Broncos offense orchestrated by former Saints head coach Sean Payton. The Saints first team defense has played very well during camp and in the joint practice against the Rams. Continuing that trend will gain positive momentum headed into the opener.
I expect the starters would be out by now, then again, as mentioned before, this is not your typical preseason. Rattler should get more snaps along with his running mates. McCoy should be out by this time, and that will continue to give reps to backup center Torricelli Simpkins III. Meanwhile, at wide receiver, there is only one or two spots tops up for grabs, so this quarter could be big for Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr, Dante Pettis, and Moochie Dixon. The punting battle is still in full effect as well, as we saw James Burnip and Kai Kroeger both punt during the Jacksonville game. I also expect to see the tight end battle continue. Treyton Welch really helped himself in the Jacksonville game with a couple of clutch catches and he continues to get meaningful reps in practice. Can he try and separate himself from the pack? Michael Jacobson, Jack Stoll, and Moliki Matavao will have opportunities as well. Will Rattler have a chance to run the two-minute offense again before half like he did at the end of the Jacksonville game that ended with the game-tying drive? We'll see if the situation presents itself. Also defensively, edge linebacker Isaiah Foskey will continue to get a lot of reps, lets see if he can get to the quarterback.