Saints Passing Game Needs to Provide Spark Against Falcons

The New Orleans passing attack fueled a historic comeback against rival Atlanta to open the season. The same kind of spark may be needed in the Week 15 rematch.

Bob Rose | Dec 15, 2022

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New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints return from a bye week to host their most bitter rival, the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans comes in with a 4-9 record, while the Falcons enter with a 5-8 mark after their own bye.

Andy Dalton gets his 11th straight start for a Saints offense that ranks 16th in total yardage. They've averaged 343.5 yards per game, but haven't scored a touchdown in nine quarters and rank a lowly 30th in turnovers committed.

New Orleans takes on a Falcons defense that's near the bottom of the league in most categories. Atlanta ranks 30th in total yardage, giving up 380.6 yards per outing, but have allowed less than 20 points in their last two contests.

The Saints have struggled to run the ball over the second half of the year. They'll must reverse that trend against Atlanta, but will undoubtedly need to make plays through the air. Here's how that aspect of their game matches up against the Falcon defense.

Saints Passing Attack

- 20.4 points per game (21st)

- 234 passing yards/game (11th)

- 20 touchdowns (11th)

- 12 interceptions (27th)

- 28 sacks

- 39.6% 3rd Down Percentage (17th)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Dalton has completed nearly 67% of his throws and averaged 225 yards per game with 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The 35-year-old is limited and hasn't been spectacular, but is also not at fault for most of the losses.

Dalton has frozen in the face of the pass rush in key moments of some games, but otherwise gets rid of the ball quickly. He still has the arm to hit the deep ball, but is more efficient in a timing-based scheme that works defenses from sideline-to-sideline.

Rookie first-round choice Chris Olave has been well worth the investment. Olave leads the team with 60 catches for 887 yards. He has three 100-yard outings, five more of over 60, and at least four receptions in 10 of his 12 games.

New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a two point conversion in front of Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins (32). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Olave’s production is even more impressive when you consider the fact that Michael Thomas was lost for the year in Week 3 and Jarvis Landry, also hampered by injuries, has noticeably declined.

Landry opened the year strong with seven catches and 114 yards against the Falcons. Since then, he has just 18 receptions for 154 yards in seven games. Landry is still a capable intermediate target because of his route running skills, but is no longer a difference maker.

Someone who is developing into a difference maker is Rashid Shaheed, an undrafted rookie. Shaheed has pulled in 12 of his 15 targets for 239 yards, all in the last seven games. He has game-breaking speed, but is also an underrated route runner.

Shaheed's development to complement Olave is crucial, because the team’s other wideouts have been massive disappointments. Marquez Callaway and Tre'Quan Smith have combined for 34 catches and 430 yards. However, both disappear for long stretches and are maddeningly unreliable.

Third-year TE Juwan Johnson has emerged as a reliable option for the offense. The converted wideout has a team-high five touchdown receptions and is third on the team with 31 catches for 349 yards. His size presents a matchup advantage against most defensive backs, while his athleticism gives him the edge against linebackers.

Fellow TE Adam Trautman is more of a blocker and short yardage option. Listed as a tight end, Taysom Hill is a versatile threat to defenses in several ways. Hill is the team’s second leading rusher, but also has seven receptions for 66 yards and two scores. He also adds an additional passing threat when lining up behind center in place of Dalton.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY

Reliability, or lack thereof, has been a major issue for the Saints receiving corps for three years. One constant had been dynamic all-purpose RB Alvin Kamara. At least until this season.

Kamara has 51 receptions for 433 yards, both second on the team. Those aren't bad numbers for an average back, but Kamara is the NFL's best receiver at the position. He's not been used properly at all, but is also guilty of questionable effort in his routes.

The Saints offensive line had protection issues early in the year and injury problems at mid-season. Over the last month, they've been slightly better in that area than with their run blocking.

Pro Bowl RT Ryan Ramczyk has had a down year and LT James Hurst has problems with athletic edge rushers. Guard Andrus Peat continues to be inconsistent in pass protection, and C Erik McCoy has been sidelined for a month. Third-year RG Cesar Ruiz is the team’s most improved player and is arguably having a Pro Bowl campaign.

Falcons Pass Defense

- 24 points per game (22nd)

- 251 passing yards/game (27th)

- 19 touchdowns (18th)

- 10 interceptions (12th)

- 17 sacks/54 QB hits

- 67.4% completion percentage

- 47.4% 3rd Down Percentage (30th)

Sep 11, 2022; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter (9). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta surrendered four 300-yard passers and three more games of at least 270 yards in the first nine games, allowing an average of 300 yards per game. Over the last four weeks, they've surrendered only 141 yards/game through the air.

The Falcons have generated little consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Veteran Grady Jarrett is their most productive lineman. Jarrett has a team-high 5.5 sacks and 18 pressures and is a handful for any blocker. Outside of him, Matt Dickerson, Abdullah Anderson, Jalen Dalton, and Jaleel Johnson have contributed little.

Edge rushers Lorenzo Carter (3.5 sacks) and rookie second-round choice Arnold Ebikete (2.5 sacks) are promising pass rushers who have a combined 27 pressures. They'd be even more effective with additional interior pressure from their 3-4 base front.

Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans have been solid at inside linebacker for the Falcons all season. The two have combined to break up 10 passes, with Walker's two interceptions tying for the team lead.

Atlanta has had a vulnerable secondary all season, made worse by their lack of pressure on quarterbacks. The Falcons have allowed six 100-yard receiving games and 10 more players to have at least 70 yards.

Dec 6, 2020; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass over Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Third-year CB A.J. Terrell is the team’s best defensive back. He doesn't have an interception, but leads the defense with eight passes broken up and has allowed 55% completion rate when targeted. Fellow corners Isaiah Oliver, Darren Hall, and Rashad Fenton have been liabilities, however, giving up nearly 75% completion percentage.

Safeties Richie Grant, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Eric Harris are a physical trio, but don't have great range. Grant is the positions most versatile player typically takes on slot coverage duties and has broken up seven throws. He and Hawkins each have two interceptions.

What to Expect

Nov 28, 2019; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) hurdles Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee (27). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons have had nice statistics against the pass for the last four weeks. However, consider that those games were against the Panthers, Bears, Washington, and Steelers.

New Orleans, quarterbacked by Jameis Winston at the time, defeated the Falcons 27-26 on opening Sunday by throwing for 269 yards. Winston threw for 213 of those yards over the final 12:41 to lead the team back from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit.

Olave had three catches for 41 yards in that matchup, his first game as a pro. A focal point of the offense now, expect him to be matched up on Terrell often. The Falcons have also had problems with athletic tight ends, so Juwan Johnson could have a big day. Johnson is dealing with an ankle injury that sidelined him against Tampa Bay. If he's limited, then Trautman or Taysom Hill could be in line for some key targets.

Alvin Kamara had just 12 touches for 46 yards in the first matchup between these teams, including three receptions for seven yards. It was typical of his questionable usage all season. In 11 career meetings against the Falcons, Kamara has 49 catches for 375 yards.

Kamara will be heavily involved for a running game against an Atlanta defense that's given up an average of 180 yards on the ground in the last four games. He's most effective as a receiver when he gets targeted early. If that happens, it would open up opportunities for the tight ends over the middle and deeper shots to Olave and the wideouts.

Saints Passing Attack

Falcons Pass Defense

What to Expect

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