The New Orleans Saints have the chance to regain the top spot in the NFC South on Monday night following a loss by the Atlanta Falcons. However, that will not be easy as the team's offense has struggled heavily over the past few weeks while they prepare to face the suffocating defense of the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints will be without star wide receiver Brandin Cooks, the return of Pierre Thomas could help in Week 12.
Saints have been benefitting from the hard-nose running of Mark Ingram over the past few weeks, but the return of Thomas could greatly help make up for the loss of Cooks. Thomas has been out with a rib and shoulder injury for the past month, but is listed as probable for the Monday Night Football matchup. Thomas has just 133 rushing yards on the season, but has 204 receiving yards through six games which is the x-factor. Can Thomas help the Saints avoid falling under .500 if he returns?
Ingram has been extremely productive on the ground this season as he prepares to battle for a new contract. The running back is putting up 459 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. However, Ingram is not as great in the receiving spot. He has just 97 yards off 18 catches this season. This is where Thomas excels. Getting the dynamic back will help open up the offense for Brees and give the Ravens a few different looks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas ranks fourth among running backs in receiving. He averages 34 yards per game in receiving, something the Saints have relied heavily on and missed since the running back has been injured. New Orleans is expecting Khiry Robinson to be out against Baltimore with a forearm injury which would leave the rotation to Ingram and Thomas for the night.
The Saints are expected to have a slightly different wide receiver rotation with Cooks out. The rookie was second on the team in receiving with 550 yards and three touchdowns on the season. In his place, Kenny Still, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are expected to lead the group and help Brees out.