Saints: 4 Reasons New Orleans Is Off to a Slow Start in 2018

Coming into the 2018 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints were one of the most hyped up teams when it came to early Super Bowl predictions. After a surprising 2017 season that saw them make it to the NFC Divisional Playoff round, the Saints were expected to take another step in 2018. Now two weeks into the season, the Saints are 1-1 and there are major concerns about their chances to contend.

In Week 1, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense ran roughshod over the Saints in a 48-40 win. New Orleans prided themselves last season for their defense, but that game showed a ton of holes. Week 2 provided an uglier game, but a win, with a 21-18 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Even though they came out of Week 2 with a win, there are many concerns. Cleveland nearly came into New Orleans and knocked the Saints off and very well could have if their kicker had made an extra point that would have put them up 19-18 late in the game. New Orleans still drove down the field and scored, but it was not the kind of win that the Saints needed to see.

Sean Payton and company have to be feeling uneasy about how the first two weeks have gone. Despite the rough start, the Saints are still expected to turn things around moving forward.

All of that being said, what five reasons have contributed to the Saints getting off to such a slow start to the season?

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