3 Defensive Keys to Colts Beating Saints

The Indianapolis Colts defense has played well despite the win-loss record and has the chance to help get a victory against an underwhelming New Orleans Saints offense.

The Indianapolis Colts have shown they have a strong defense through seven weeks of the 2023 season. Even with injuries and suspensions, they’ve still been able to get things done and force turnovers. The next matchup for Gus Bradley’s game plan will be Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints.

Even though Carr has succeeded against the Colts in his career, he’s also shown a weakness in turnovers in those contests. With this matchup set for Sunday, let’s get into the three keys for the Colts’ defense to get back into the win column.

#1.) Contain RB Alvin Kamara

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This is arguably priority No. 1. Even with a suspension to start the season, Saints running back and staple playmaker Alvin Kamara still has impressive numbers on the year on an offense that has no identity at this moment.

Through four games, he’s run the ball 69 times for 261 rushing yards (3.8 avg) and 1 rushing TD. Also, he’s been huge in the passing game with 35 catches (8.75 per game) for 177 receiving yards (5.1 avg).

Kamara’s already second on the team in catches to only wide receiver Chris Olave (39), and the latter has three more games played than Kamara.

This means that linebackers Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, and Shaq Leonard will be crucial. Given that the Saints’ offensive line hasn’t played up to par, the run defense, and especially Speed, can likely contain the New Orleans ground game.

Even without Grover Stewart on the interior, the Colts will likely be okay, as the Saints haven’t run the ball well this year against most of their competition.

But, with Kamara’s incredible receiving abilities, the Indy linebacking corp will have its work cut out and needs to keep Carr looking downfield to force pressures and sacks, speaking of that.

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#2.) Pressure Derek Carr

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Carr has been as solid as any QB in his NFL career, putting forth efficient, accurate, and safe performances. He’s also shown an underrated ability to be a clutch performer when the game is on the line.

However, that was as a Las Vegas Raider.

So far as the Saints field general, Carr has struggled. He’s put up 163-of-255 (63.9%) for 1,600 passing yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTs through seven games. These aren’t the worst metrics, but Carr has also visibly shown frustration with his new team and how the offense operates around him, which isn’t what the veteran passer typically does.

It could be due to the lackluster pass blocking, as the Saints are tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks allowed with 20 (18 on Carr). This is a big problem.

Per Pro Football Focus, Carr ranks 23rd in the league in passing efficiency grade when under pressure (53.0). To put this into context, he’s behind Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (21st), Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (20th), and Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith (19th).

The message here is to get to Carr, and you’ll force good things to happen for your defense.

Without Stewart, it could affect the inside pass-rush, but depth defensive tackle Taven Bryan is a pass-rushing specialist, so it might be the answer. It will be up to defensive ends Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam to put forth an effort on the edges and force Carr into mistakes or taking sacks.

#3.) CB Darrell Baker Jr.

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With starting cornerback JuJu Brents out, it will fall upon Darrell Baker Jr. and rookie Jaylon Jones to fill in the gap. However, it’s Baker that needs to show up for this game.

During training camp and offseason workouts, Baker emerged as a legitimate CB for Indy. He was on top of coverage (both zone and man) and made life tough for receivers like Michael Pittman Jr. However, fast-forward to week eight of the regular season, and it’s a different tune.

Thus far, Baker has been arguably the most prone to letting up coverage and big plays for the secondary, posting a brutally bad 29.6 coverage grade on 159 defensive snaps, which is last on the Colts.

With pass-catchers like Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed on the other side, look for the Saints to specifically target #39 on the field. Until Baker can show the opposition that he shouldn’t be messed with, NFL offenses will likely pepper him with targets, challenging him to defy their expectations.

It remains to be seen how Baker will react to facing off against a down, but still highly skilled Saints receiving group.

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