Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints: Keep Your Enemies Close – 5 Questions with Who Dat Dish

The Jacksonville Jaguars still have some very faint playoff hopes as they head to New Orleans, but they need to beat a struggling Saints team to have any shot at the AFC South title in week 17.
We wanted to get some intel on our opponent so we reached out to John Hendrix over at Who Dat Dish. Here’s what he had to say:

1. Drew Brees is still putting up good numbers, but he’s starting to look a little over the hill. Is he still a top 5 QB?

"It’s a common misconception that Drew Brees is over the hill. Brees is a tough competitor, as he played through a Grade 2 plantar fascia tear in his right foot on Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite limited practice and excruciating pain, Brees is determined to play in this game for ‘his guys’. Brees’ numbers of nearly 68 percent completion, 4,135 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 98.4 QB rating would suggest that he’s still in the top of the class."

2. How is this offseason going to look for the Saints? Do you expect Sean Payton and Brees to both leave?

"Ever since Bounty Gate, the offseason has not been a dull moment in New Orleans. I honestly don’t know what to expect out of the team this go round, but I will tell you that they have major decisions to make in regards to players and personnel. The team only has 41 players under contract for 2016, and some of them could be on their way out. Sean Payton has emphatically told the media that he doesn’t see himself going anywhere, and Brees is contracted through 2016.However it all unfolds, nothing would shock us at this point. Personally, I see Payton and Brees both staying."

3. The defense has been notoriously bad this season, especially against the pass. Has it been more scheme or personnel?

"It’s been a bit of both. Rob Ryan went into 2015 saying that he was going to simplify the defense, and we got anything but that. Players have not been on the same page, assignments have been missed, and general play has been bad. It’s all a nasty domino effect, and the Saints continue to be on the losing side of this all. This is one of the worst defenses in football, still."

4. If you could pick one player on the Jaguars to put on the Saints, who would you take?

"Allen Robinson is the obvious and definitive choice here, but I’m going to go on the defensive side of the ball. The Saints need more help on that side of the ball, and I’d go with Telvin Smith. Arguably, he’s been the Jaguars best defensive player. He’s a true iron man on that side of the ball with over 1,000 snaps this season, and no one player is even close. I like his ability as a pass rusher, and he’s a tackle machine."

5. What’s your prediction for the game?

"Given the Saints inability to stop teams in the Superdome, I’d give this game to the Jaguars. The Saints have allowed 35, 38, 34, and 49 points in their past four home contests. If you’re in any sort of Fantasy Football playoff matchup this week, you had better start Blake Bortles. The Saints will drop this one 34-28."