This week the New Orleans Saints host the Cleveland Browns. The Saints are coming off a 31-6 victory over the Buccaneers, after suffering a 30-20 loss at the Cardinals. This game should be a fairly easy test for the Saints. The Browns are coming off a 28-10 loss to the Steelers in rookie Colt McCoy’s first NFL regular season start. The Saints were able to establish the running game against the Buccaneers; something it had been unable to do so far this season. Here are the keys to a Saints’ victory.

Establish offensive balance
The Saints successfully established the run with Chris Ivory (158 yards on 15 carries) against the Buccaneers, and recently-acquired Julius Jones added 32 yards on nine carries. Cleveland is allowing 115.7 rushing yards per game, 23rd in the NFL. The Saints need to establish the run early, to allow Drew Brees and his receivers to spread the field.

Contain the Browns’ running game
New Orleans is allowing 106 rushing yards per game, 15th in the league. Surprising acquisition Peyton Hillis has rushed for 391 yards, good enough for 17th in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will look to rely heavily on Hillis and the running game to keep the Saints’ offense off the field, and the game close.

Unleash the pass rush
The Saints need to push McCoy into making mistakes. The best way to do this is to establish the pass rush, which will make McCoy rush and make more mistakes. So far, the Saints have 11 sacks, sufficient enough or only 17th in the NFL. Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis is the only Saints defender with more than one sack. New Orleans needs to bring linebackers on obvious passing situations to free up defensive ends Will Smith and Alex Brown to sack McCoy.

The Browns are clearly in a rebuilding year. Both sides of the ball are struggling. The Saints seemed to have rediscovered the balance and chemistry that delivered a Super Bowl victory last season. The Saints will continue to establish the running game against a weak rushing defense, and will pressure McCoy into making rookies mistakes: Saints 34, Browns 10.

The Saints’ loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals was marked by turnovers and a lack of closing ability. The Cardinals converted Drew Brees’ first quarter interception and Ladell Betts’ fourth quarter fumble into two touchdowns. Brees’ late touchdown pass to Robert Meachem pulled the game to within three points, but it was not enough. Here are other observations about the Saints.

Reggie Bush’s presence hurting team
Reggie Bush is a multi-dimensional threat the Saints’ offense is sorely missing. Every time Bush was on the field, he was a threat to score via an outside run, short catch out of the backfield, or as a punt returner. Ladell Betts and rookie Chris Ivory have done well compensating for Bush’s absence in the running game, but they both are more traditional between the tackles runners, as opposed to speedster threats. Bush’s rehabilitation is on schedule to have him back for week seven against Cleveland, and not a moment too soon.

Bad timing in the running game
Similar to against the Vikings, the Saints had an unbalanced attack in the opening half, throwing the ball 19 times versus 10 runs. On the opening drive of the second half the Saints ran a balanced drive (five passes and five runs) and drove deep into the red zone. Questionably, with about seven minutes remaining in the game and down by ten points, the Saints attempted to establish the running game, which led to a three-and-out possession. By making themselves one-dimensional, the Saints allowed the Cardinals’ defense to key on the pass and shut down Brees and Company. The Saints desperately need to establish the running game in the first half.

Defense lacking last year’s magic
In several games last year, the Saints defense generated turnovers in key moments; particularly Terry Porter’s interception of Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl. The defense did not generate any turnovers against the Cardinals, and was unable to capitalize on several fumbles by the Cardinals. Part of the problem is that the Saints pass rush never made rookie Max Hall look uncomfortable. Hall had ample time to pick apart the Saints’ secondary and find Larry Fitzgerald for seven catches for 93 yards.

Problems finishing drives
The Saints are struggling to finish drives with points. Although John Carney missed only one field goal, the woes in the kicking game continue. Carney gets another week to redeem himself and prove he is the solution to the Saints’ kicking game

New Orleans faces division rival Tampa, with second place in the division at stake. New Orleans must address these issues to maintain a chance at winning the NFC South.