Kendre Miller will EXPOSE the Bears' biggest defensive deficiency
There is a lot of emphasis on the story of Kendre Miller seeking revenge against Dennis Allen in the New Orleans Saints' Week 7 contest versus the Chicago Bears. That extra motivation isn't the only reason to think a big game is on the way for Miller. Stylistically, this is a favorable matchup as well.
The conversation has been a focal point this week, with good reason. The third year running back has more momentum right now than he's ever had, and he's with a coach that believes in him.
That seemingly wasn't the case with Allen at the helm. Miller's obviously had his injury concerns, but for all intents and purposes, Miller's final injury last year was handled too harshly. He was put on injured reserve when that was reportedly far from the case. That sounds like a coach saying, "I'm done with you," and is definitely a reason for Miller to hold a grudge.
The Bears can't tackle and Kendre Miller can't be tackled
Let's look beyond the juiciness of the storyline, and see why a Kendre Miller revenge game is plausible. Per NextGen Stats, the Bears allow the fifth most yards after contact per attempt in the league. You could finish this article quicker than you can remember the last time Miller was tackled by the first defender.
Football has its complexities, but sometimes it truly is that simple. Miller is a hard player to tackle, and the Bears have allowed consistent yards after contact. They also have one of the worst run defenses, in terms of pure rushing totals, and the Saints have two talented rushers. Run the ball.
Also, Alvin Kamara is still working through an ankle injury. Because of this, you could see more of Miller. As long as Kamara still plays, the two running backs seeing around the same amount of touches is likely.
On Wednesday’s episode of the Saints Squad Show, three of the analysts’ bold prediction centered around Miller. Whether it was 100 yards, Miller scoring the first touchdown or 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the expectation is for a big game out of Miller. The Bears struggles against the run open the door for Miller to deliver on that expectation.
Revenge is a motivating factor on top of all of that. Motivation doesn’t suddenly give you super powers, but it will make the eventual explosion even sweeter.
New Orleans Saints Legend Cam Jordan Opens Door To Potential Exit
There are just five games left in the regular season for the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans is one of just three teams in the NFC that have already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Saints are 2-10. The only team in the NFC with a worse record is the New York Giants at 2-11.
We're at a point in the season when it's perfectly fair to look ahead. The Saints look like they're going to finish in last place in the division for the second straight year. It seems like a rebuild in some capacity should be on the way, unless Tyler Shough really is the quarterback to build around. He has looked really good and seems like he is, but that's a conversation for another day.
Will Cam Jordan come back?
Another guy to keep an eye on is Cameron Jordan. The eight-time Pro Bowler is one of the top overall pass rushers in NFL history. Even though he's 36 years old, he's still racking up sacks and has 6 1/2 this year. He's going to be a free agent after the season, but will he be back? Jordan was asked this question on Wednesday and at least opened the door to the possibility of an exit.
"I don't know if I've ever considered any of that," Jordan said in a clip shared to X by NewOrleans.Football. "I've left that for the uppers to figure out and you guys to figure out. If they don't want me, there's 31 other -- probably four other teams, it's really three other teams he's real old. In my mind, it's always playing here or retiring.
"But again, maybe it's not. As you look at the past couple of years, maybe you do have to look around. I think that time will tell where that happens. I'm just focused on this week, this game, how best to attack the run game and advantageous pass rush situation."
That would be devastating for New Orleans. Jordan is a 15-year veteran and has played in more games wearing a Saints jersey than any other player. Seeing him in another team's jersey should be the last thing any fan wants right now. Instead, hopefully the Saints can build this roster up and have a quick turnaround like the New England Patriots have done this season.
Cam Jordan took to social media
The season hasn't gone as planned and Sunday was a perfect example. New Orleans lost against the Dolphins, 21-17. There were things to be excited about. Cam Jordan had two sacks, Devaughn Vele had eight catches and a touchdown, and Tyler Shough continued to show flashes. But turnovers and some bad luck doomed the team at the end. All in all, it was the Saints' fourth one-score loss this season.
After the game, Jordan took to social media.
"Was angry, and realized this is what we have shown time and time again," Jordan wrote on X. "Understanding that we are building for the future, I’m still of the mindset of we need to win these winnable games the last 2 weeks. Stay the course!"
He followed up with a second post.
"I want black and gold to win," Jordan wrote. "Understanding that is how I’m moving forward!"
The part about the Dolphins game being what the Saints have "shown time and time again" is a bit cryptic. But it's not surprising to see someone be frustrated after a loss like the one the team had against Miami. It was a winnable game. Even when it seemed to be lost as Shough threw an interception on the two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter, New Orleans got more life with an onside kick recovery. Then, that hope was squashed again.
It's been a long season. Jordan has been a part of plenty of them as this is his 15th with the franchise. Last season was brutal as New Orleans went 5-12 and finished in last place in the division. This one is shaping up to be even worse, although, there are some bright spots. Jordan is having a phenomenal season, Shough looks like a quarterback to build around, and there are some young weapons on both sides of the ball.
