Delvin Breaux's Broken Fibula Has Completely Fractured The Saints Playoff Hopes

Payton confirms that Breaux fractured his fibula. Had surgery this morning. Will make full recovery and will play this year. Six weeks

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 12, 2016

I don't want to be that guy. Generally speaking, I'm usually not that guy. You know, the "sky is falling" after one game guy. The overly pessimistic guy claiming the season is already over before September has even ended. Unfortunately, taking any other stance on the Saints immediate future after witnessing how imperative Delvin Breaux is to what they do on defense requires far too much blind optimism - even for me. All the credit in the world to Devante Harris and Ken Crawley for sticking on this roster as undrafted free agents, but asking them to contribute this significantly this early has already proven to a be an abject disaster in the making. I just can't see how they survive the next 6 weeks without digging themselves a hole they'll need a lot more than the return of a shutdown corner to help them out of.

With a defensive line that was largely absent and Breaux nursing a broken leg that he appeared to try to play through, Derek Carr made Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree look like world beaters. I can't imagine the results are going to get too much better with Odell Beckham and Julio Jones eagerly awaiting to feast on a secondary that is without it's most talented player. As if that wasn't bad enough, the team's that don't have upper echelon pass catchers also happen to be the most complete teams on the schedule. I don't know what you thought about the Saints playoff prospects before yesterday, but enduring the 3 game stretch against the Panthers, Chiefs, and Seahawks seems like an infinitely taller task after yesterday. The truth is that - as crazy as this sounds - Delvin Breaux likely means as much to the defense as Drew Brees means to the offense, so a substantial drop off in play without him should not only be an expectation but a foregone conclusion. You can call me a Debbie Downer if you'd like, but do yourself a favor and go re-watch the second half against the Raiders before you do. Sadly, it (as well as allllllllot of booze) should better prepare you for a season not unlike those before it...

No Sheldon Rankins or Delvin Breaux until at least midseason. Take Bluto's advice ...https://t.co/WhIzWcHhFl

— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) September 12, 2016