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Behind Enemy Lines: talking Brees, Saints 0-2 start with columnist Larry Holder

For Week 3 of "Behind Enemy Lines," we talked to Larry Holder, the Saints columnist for The Times-Picayune.

September 19, 2014 at 3:14PM

For Week 3 of "Behind Enemy Lines," we talked to Larry Holder, the Saints columnist for The Times-Picayune. Here are five questions we asked Holder leading up to the Vikings-Saints matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

1. What has been the biggest issue on defense?

LH: Where do you start? The two strengths on the Saints defense last season was the pass rush and the secondary play. Both have been a letdown so far this season. The Saints haven't consistently been able to pressure either Matt Ryan or Brian Hoyer. The secondary hasn't done the defense any favors, though, by having far too many miscommunications.

2. How has Drew Brees looked through two games?

LH: Brees hasn't been as sharp as the Saints have been accustomed to in recent years. But Brees started slow last season and he compiled one of his best seasons in the NFL. Brees has thrown a costly interception in each game. One was his fault against Atlanta in the end zone. The other came as he took a shot in Cleveland, but the result also cost the Saints as it went back for a touchdown.

3. In what ways does the defensive game plan change without running back Adrian Peterson?

LH: I would assume the Saints would focus less on stopping the run and zero in on shoring up the pass defense. The Saints have expressed their respect for Cordarrelle Patterson and will take their chances in not stacking the box.

4. What is the sense of urgency with this team starting 0-2 and coming back to the Superdome?

LH: There's no major panic with this team. There's definitely a sense of urgency, though. The Saints know they had their chances of winning both games and it didn't happen. They know the season isn't in trouble at 0-2. As for 0-3, that's a different story.

5. What needs to happen for the Saints to win the game?

LH: The Saints need to play like they typically play at home. Both side of the football come with extra juice in the Superdome as the Saints went undefeated there in 2013. The Saints need to cut down on the mistakes on defense and increase the pressure on the quarterback. The Saints have also run the football with plenty of success and should continue to use their ground game even with Mark Ingram likely out Sunday with a broken hand.