Mike Detillier's 5 keys for Saints to beat Falcons: It all starts in the trenches

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It's finally time to stop talking about what Saints football is going to look like in the 2022, and actually see the results.

But how exactly can the Saints make sure those results are positive ones when the action kicks off during Week 1 against the Falcons on the road?

THE GAME

WEEK 1 | Saints at Falcons

- Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

- When: Noon (central), Sunday, Sept. 11

- Betting: Falcons +5.5 (Caesars)

- TV: FOX

- Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3 & the Audacy app

- Pregame: First Take, Sunday, 8-10 a.m.; Countdown to Kickoff, 10 a.m.-noon

Here are Mike Detillier's 5 keys for a Saints win in Week 1:

1. WIN UP FRONT
With four different starting quarterbacks and only one offensive lineman starting all 17 games (Cesar Ruiz), the Saints couldn’t run the ball when they needed to and had to in 2021. The other four starters missed 32 starts.

The Saints averaged just 3.9 yards per rush and star halfback Alvin Kamara averaged only 3.7 per carry.

Control the line of scrimmage and get a running game going early.

2. ADJUST TO FALCONS’ NEW APPROACH
Matt Ryan was dealt off to the Indianapolis Colts, and he was never much of a rushing threat under center. That will be totally different with Marcus Mariota.

Watch for the Falcons to use a lot of college-type-RPO plays (like Mariota did at Oregon and with the Titans under Arthur Smith) to get the Saints defensive front 7 out of alignment.

Mariota is a good athlete and he’s a very good open-field runner. He’s no Jalen Hurts, and the Falcons offensive line is not close to the Eagles, but bank on the fact they will try and attack the Saints defense in a similar manner with Mariota.

If Mariota can run the ball it will open up opportunities for TE Kyle Pitts and all-purpose RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson.
3. ATTACK THE OTHER SIDE

A.J. Terrell is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, but other teams had great success picking on the cornerbacks opposite him.

This year the Falcons brought in veteran Casey Hayward via free agency, but Hayward is 32 years old and I want to find out if he can still run step for step with NFL pass-catchers.

Terrell will mostly lock up with Michael Thomas, but I would test Hayward early with a deep throw or two to speedster Chris Olave.

Hit the big play and things will get a lot easier on offense.



4. FEED THE BEAST

No matter whether it’s as a runner or a receiver, no one on the field is as explosive as Alvin Kamara.

He looks quicker, faster and stronger than ever, and he needs to be touching the ball at least 20 times a game between the run and pass games combined.

Kamara is a big play looking to happen each time he touches the ball.
5. LET DAVENPORT FEAST

Because of past successes against Atlanta’s former QB, the Falcons will likely be trying to scheme up ways to slow down defensive end Cam Jordan.

If so, Marcus Davenport should have a lot of one-on-one reps. When healthy, Marcus is a football storm and all opposing offenses can do is hope he doesn’t take the roof off.

One pro scout told me this week that he felt healthy Davenport was the Saints best defensive player.

“He’s a nightmare to match up against,” the scout said. “Very few guys can match his size, speed and power ratio. He’s really a freak of an athlete. Healthy Marcus dominates one side of the field.”