METAIRIE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Saints offensive line looks much different the past two weeks than it did to begin the season, both in performance and in personnel.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr was averaging about a sack per quarter of play in the first two games. In the last two weeks, the Saints have allowed just two quarterback sacks total. 

The Saints offensive line is also like a revolving door due to injuries, resulting in different pieces and moving players around, like Andrus Peat starting at left tackle, a position he hadn’t played since 2018 until week seven. 

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said there’s a direct correlation between the offensive line play and Carr’s performance, a trend that has to continue for the Saints offense to have sustained success. 

“We’re going to go as they go, you know, and that’s, that’s football,” said Carr. “It’s always won in the trenches. And our guys, I feel, have played really well the last several weeks. And you know, I think that the better they play it’s going to allow us, AK (Alvin Kamara), myself, it’s going allow everyone else to play better as well.”

“I think it’s really just realizing that you got to treat, we have to treat every opportunity like it’s our last,” said Cesar Ruiz, Saints right guard. “So, every single play, every bit of effort, every guy’s giving 1000% like it’s the last one. We shuffle the deck a lot and to see guys playing the positions that you don’t normally see and they’re all playing really good right now. So, it’s definitely special and it’s definitely… just great to see. Great to be out there while it’s happening.”

The Saints’ offensive line will once again be tested by one of the best edge rushers in the league in Montez Sweat who was traded to the Bears Tuesday by the Commanders. 

Sweat is near the top in the league in sacks this season with 6.5 sacks. He’s certainly a player the Saints are starting to rapidly prep for in case he makes his Chicago debut Sunday. 

“You got to look at his film from Washington,” said Ryan Ramczyk, Saints right tackle. “I think we’re all going to prepare that way and watch what he did over there. Obviously, he’s going to be thrown into the Bears defense. So, they’re going to have his plan for him, whatever they plan to do. But, our preparation can only be from what he did at Washington.”