Saints starter makes another mistake that may cost him his job this week and open the door for younger player
The New Orleans Saints have plenty of roster concerns for their future. An issue that has plagued them this season and looms for years down the road is on special teams, though. Kicker Blake Grupe showed improvement last season, but he has struggled massively this season. His inconsistency is gleaming, and his latest mistake in Week 12 may push New Orleans to make a move.
Kicker Blake Grupe continues to struggle against Falcons
In the first quarter, following a huge return on a kickoff, Grupe missed a 38-yard field goal. That mistake heavily swung the momentum back in Atlanta's favor. It seemed like New Orleans had a bit of a jump before the miss, but that quickly disappeared after another frustrating failure to convert for Grupe. After a solid drive just ahead of halftime, Grupe then missed another attempt. In a game that should/could have been tied at 13, the Saints trailed 13-7.
Grupe is 17-25 on field goal attempts this year. That rate is amongst the worst in the entire NFL.
Charlie Smyth is on the Saints practice squad. He has a massive leg but hasn't gotten a true chance to kick in NFL games so far. New Orleans needs to look elsewhere because Grupe doesn't seem like the long-term answer as the Saints boots.
Even after some recent confidence in Grupe shown by the coaching staff, you have to begin to hold him accountable. He's not getting the job done, so look elsewhere for your future kicker. He may even already be in the building.
Alvin Kamara injury update: Saints reveal RB’s status for remainder of Week 12 vs. Falcons
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s Week 12 home game against the Atlanta Falcons. He is out for the remainder of the game, the Saints announced.
Kamara left the game in the first quarter after his right leg got twisted up near the sideline. He was evaluated in the blue medical tent before being ruled out.
With Kamara sidelined, Devin Neal has taken the bulk of the work coming out of the backfield. The rookie tailback has a combined six touches for 37 yards.
Kamara, 30, is in his ninth season in the NFL, all with the Saints. The former Tennessee standout has been one the best running backs of the last decade, contributing both on the ground and through the air. Kamara entered Sunday’s game with 7,239 career rushing yards and 4,944 receiving yards. He has 86 total touchdowns.
Caleb Williams Smacks Down Bears Haters After Besting Steelers
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Quarterback Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears pulled out their fourth straight win, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field in Week 12, though it was a near thing until the end.
Chicago went up 31-21 with a little over 14 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but the defense surrendered a 17-play drive on the next series that ended in a Steelers’ touchdown. The Bears went three-and-out on their next two drives, gaining just 11 total yards on those six offensive plays and leaned on the defense to hold off Pittsburgh and eke out a three-point victory.
During the postgame press conference, a reporter asked quarterback Caleb Williams how he reconciles what was mostly a good day and ultimately a win with the team’s inability to “put away” the Steelers down the stretch.
“You don’t apologize for any wins in this league,” Williams said. “That’s a historic organization over there, and they got a bunch of great athletes, a bunch of great coaches and things like that. So like I said, you don’t apologize.”
“We’re an 8-3 team in the National Football League, and so we feel good with where we’re at,” Williams continued. “We don’t feel like we’re the same old Bears. We pull through for each other when it matters most.”
Montez Sweat Played Best Game of His Year Against Steelers
GettyDefensive end Montez Sweat of the Chicago Bears.
Williams finished the afternoon 19-of-35 passing for 239 yards and three TDs. He also ran the football four times for 21 yards on the ground.
His counterpart on the defensive side of the football was edge rusher Montez Sweat, who ended the game with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble that he also recovered.
“I think I’m just taking advantage of my opportunities,” Sweat said. “Earlier in the season, I felt like I was playing good ball. But the stats are starting to come through for me, and it’s a blessing. But we still got a lot more left on the table to get cleaned up.”
Sweat now has 12 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks on the season, with the vast majority of that production coming over the last six games. The Bears are 5-1 over that stretch, including four victories by five points or fewer.
“We’re creating a history of competing in these close games, and we feel pretty comfortable in it,” Sweat continued. “We know when we’re down, or it’s a close game, we still in a fight. And I feel that coming from all phases, so we just all fighting.”
Bears Face Tough Schedule Down Stretch of Season
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago has taken care of business where necessary, which puts them in an advantageous position with a tough schedule down the stretch.
The Bears came into Week 12 facing the hardest strength of schedule in the NFL over the remainder of the season, which continues with back-to-back road games against the Philadelphia Eagles the day after Thanksgiving (November 28) on a short week and then at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Chicago hosts the Cleveland Browns and Packers in its following two contests before a road trip to the West Coast against the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears finish the year at home against the Detroit Lions, who embarrassed Chicago by 31 points at Ford Field in Week 2.
