The kicking game could have earned them momentum and they did have plenty of ball on the Hudds line so Long could have made the difference.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

His kicking to the corners may have caused Hudds problems but as i said they generally defend them pretty well. As for a his long kicking game Hudds cleared their lines well most of the time and when they didn't the defended their goal line superbly and closer to the line i think Eastmond is more of a threat than Long anyways. Pryce was getting the ball in the same positions as he would had Long been playing but Hudds line speed nullified his threat.

Just my opinion mind.

It's hard to say that Long would of changed the game, but, he's a big game player and has won games like that many a time before, but i sure do think Saints are missing him slightly.