X-Factors to Watch in Saints vs. Colts

With their season at a possible crossroads, here are a few players to watch for the Saints in a must-win game against the Colts.

The 3-4 New Orleans Saints travel to face the 3-4 Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. This is the third road trip in four weeks for the Saints, who have lost four of their last five contests. New Orleans continues to have major issues on offense, ranking 21st in points scored (19/game), 17th in total yardage, and a lowly 29th in red zone efficiency. Their fourth ranked defense has fared much better, but have given up some back-breaking plays at critical times in all four of their losses.

Indianapolis counters with an offense that ranks 10th in total yardage and sixth in points scored. Their defense ranks 22nd in total yards, but 30th in points allowed at 27.3/game. The Colts have lost their last two contests, turning the ball over a total of eight times and giving up 76 points. 

This is the 15th meeting between the Saints and Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts. New Orleans is 9-5 against the Colts all-time and 9-2 since the franchise moved to Indianapolis in 1984. This includes a 4-3 road record against the Colts and a 3-1 mark in Indianapolis.

The Saints have won the last four matchups between these teams dating back to a 31-17 victory in Super Bowl XLIV. These teams last met in 2019, a 34-7 Saint win in New Orleans. They last met in Indianapolis in 2015, where New Orleans pulled out a 27-21 victory. 

New Orleans has also dealt with a virus all week that could limit or even sideline several players. Aside from that test of character, here are a few players that need to come up big to earn the team's fifth straight win over Indianapolis. Perhaps even getting their season back on track. 

Juwan Johnson, TE

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) runs after a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson has missed the last four games with a calf injury. Without him, TE Foster Moreau has been targeted just 10 times, catching eight for 69 yards and a score. Jimmy Graham has not been targeted at all in those four contests. 

A converted wideout, Johnson is a better receiving mismatch for defenses than either Moreau or Graham because of his athleticism. Don't forget that Johnson was second on the team with 508 yards on a career-best 42 receptions and had a team-high 7 touchdowns in 2022.

Over the first three games this year, Johnson wasn't used enough. He pulled in seven of his 12 targets for 61 yards without a score. Nonetheless, the 6'4" and 231-Lb. tight end gives QB Derek Carr another bona-fide target. Especially on third downs and near the end zone, where the Saints rank an infuriating 29th in efficiency. 

Saints Pass Defense Looks to Rebound Against Colts Passing Attack

(Memo to Pete Carmichael and Derek Carr: You Are Allowed to Use the Middle of the Field!)

Johnson and WR Michael Thomas, as well as Graham, are physical targets capable of thriving in the middle areas of a defense. Yet, we've largely seen New Orleans ignore that part of the field this season. With Thomas (illness) now limited or potentially out, Johnson would be the most physical option among Carr's pass catchers. 

The Colts pass defense has been extremely vulnerable in the middle. Wideouts Thomas, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and RB Alvin Kamara should continue to garner most of the pass targets. However, Johnson's athleticism and receiving skills could create big plays, both for himself and the other New Orleans weapons. 

Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson, DEs

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) rushes the passer against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY

Perhaps the most shocking statistic for the Saints after seven games is the fact that this team is tied for the fewest sacks (13) in the NFL. They managed just four combined sacks in their four losses, not even recording a single QB hit and a pathetic three pressures on Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence last week.

Eleven of the 19 sacks against Indianapolis quarterbacks this season, along with several other hits, have come against edge defenders. Second-year LT Bernhard Raimann is a good run blocker, but consistently struggles in pass protection. 

New Orleans defensive tackles have been very good against the run, but need a more consistent interior pass rush. Where the Saints really need to generate their pressure is along the edge. 

Perennial Pro Bowl DE Cam Jordan continues to be solid against the run. While Jordan does have a team-high 11 pressures, he has only one sack and four QB hits. Jordan has been about a half second off of making several big plays. He needs to finish those plays, as he's always done throughout his illustrious career. 

Baldinger: Saints DE Carl Granderson 'Is Playing Great'

Granderson is on his way to the best season of his five-year career. He's been the most consistent of the Saints defensive linemen and leads the team with 4.5 sacks, nine QB hits, and eight tackles for loss. Like Jordan, however, Granderson has often been just a half second slow on several occasions. 

Colts QB Gardner Minshew has been sacked seven times in the last two games and 12 times in his three starts. Most of those have come on the edge, where Jordan and Granderson need to be the difference makers in this contest. 

On the Spot : Derek Carr 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Statistically, Carr has put up nice numbers over the last two games. He's gone over 300 yards in both outings, but has also thrown 105 passes. Carr has also continued to be inaccurate and miss open receivers on several occasions. 

Worse yet, Carr's leadership, attitude, and mannerisms have come under serious scrutiny. He's openly admonished teammates and coaches over the last several weeks, despite his own poor play. Yes, he needs better protection from his line and better effort or production from his supporting cast. Yes, play-calling, game plans, and in-game adjustments have been horrible. Carr also needs to do much better. 

For this team to even have a shot at contending, they must play far better on offense than what we've seen. That starts with Derek Carr, the quarterback that we were told was the ''perfect fit'' for this system. It's not hyperbole to suggest that this game is not only a crossroads for the Saints season, but also Carr as the New Orleans quarterback.