League-leading fumbles are becoming a critical flaw for Saints offense

No NFL offense has fumbled more often than the New Orleans Saints through four weeks. The Saints have fumbled five times in four games — a couple of other teams have fumbled four times each, but most NFL offenses have only put a ball on the ground two, maybe three times. These lapses in ball security are quickly becoming a critical flaw for a Saints team that can’t seem to get out of its own way.

Tyler Shough has lost three sack-fumbles on the year so far, and that’s a byproduct of how badly his offensive line is protecting him. He’s tied for the third-most sacks (12) and leads the league in pass attempts. By struggling to run the ball, the Saints are putting their quarterback in dangerous situations. Shough has two other fumbles but the offense was able to recover them.

But they weren’t so lucky when Juwan Johnson and Kendre Miller lost the ball. A lapse in focus cost Johnson when the veteran tight end tried to cut upfield and make a play after the catch. Miller failed to keep the ball in his arms on a standard run up the middle and lost possession. Football is a sport where your fortunes can change in an instant. If the Saints can’t appreciate that, it’ll continueto punish them.

So how do they fix this? A big part of it goes back to the protection plan. If Shough is being asked to throw so often, he can’t be put in harm’s way without any help going to the backup left tackle trying to keep him clean. Five-year starters like Johnson and players on the roster bubble like Miller can’t afford to make these mistakes. That goes back to coaching, too. Whatever Kellen Moore and his staff have been trying at practice isn’t working.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: League-leading fumbles are becoming a critical flaw for Saints offense