Saints seek consistency in crucial Week 15 home game

By Ross Jackson

As the New Orleans Saints embark upon a winnable four-game stretch to close out the season, the team’s Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers is about more than just proving they can win games. 

For New Orleans, the return to the Caesars Superdome is a chance to show that the team can prove to be consistent, rather than piling up periodic victories. 

A win over the Panthers would provide New Orleans with its first set of back-to-back victories since Weeks 10 and 11 last year. 

Perhaps just as important as the wins themselves are the elements of the game that lead the Saints to securing them. 

New Orleans was once one of the worst red zone offenses of the last decade. Now, they’ve scored four touchdowns on five red zone possessions in the last two games. 

In last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team did not convert a single first down in the first half, but did so at a clip of 71.4% in the second half, including going 4/5 in the fourth quarter. 

The Saints scored their first opening drive touchdown since Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills and appeared to find a new element of their offense with the rushing prowess of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. 

Each of these elements has created a sense of confidence and promise for New Orleans. However, without being able to string together multiple games of success, the promise would fall short of production. The Saints can’t let that happen in their return from a two-game road trip. 

Whether it’s red zone offense, extending drives, fast starts or young playmakers making plays, New Orleans is looking to prove it can be consistent in standing up some late season wins. Doing so would provide an entirely new outlook for the club as it enters the offseason.