Game Balls From Saints Domination of Giants

Saints flashed what they are capable of in dominating the Giants. Here were their top performers from the big win.

The New Orleans Saints won their second consecutive game by dominating the New York Giants at home in a 24-6 victory. With the win, the Saints improved their record to 7-7 and remain tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first in the NFC South. 

The Saints played strong complementary football on offense. Their offensive line provided exemplary pass protection and just enough push for RBs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams to be able to control possessions. Landon Young was particularly impressive at right tackle in replacing an injured Ryan Ramczyk. Wideouts Lynn Bowden, Keith Kirkwood, A.T. Perry, and TEs Juwan Johnson, Jimmy Graham, and Foster Moreau all made key catches during the game.

Defensively, the Saints turned in one of their most dominant performances of the year. Giants QB Tommy DeVito was sacked seven times and didn't even have 100 yards passing until late in the fourth quarter. Explosive RB Saquon Barkley was rendered completely irrelevant, being held to 14 yards rushing and 1.6 per carry. Pressure and suffocating coverage from the Saints caused New York to go only 2 of 16 on third downs and manage just 193 total yards. 

Zack Baun, Nathan Shepherd, and Carl Granderson were standouts in a punishing performance by the defensive line. Isaac Yiadom and Alontae Taylor led a secondary that took away DeVito's passing options. They were among several that had very good days against New York, but didn't come up quite as big as the biggest stars in this win.

Derek Carr, QB

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Carr has had better statistical games this season, but this felt like his most efficient performance since joining the Saints.  He completed 23 of his 28 throws for 218 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, but was also extremely crisp and decisive all afternoon. 

Carr accomplished this with his best two receivers, Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, sidelined with injuries. He spread the ball around to 10 different players and did a nice job of hitting them on the move so they could pick up extra yardage. 

Benefiting from outstanding pass protection, Carr also moved away from pressure well and got rid of the ball quickly. He was money on third downs, completing all seven of his throws for 60 yards and a score. On two third downs that didn't show up on the stat sheet, Carr recognized illegal contact by Giants defenders and immediately threw the ball in that direction to draw a penalty and earn the first down. 

In spite of a banged-up unit, Carr showed masterful control of the offense. This is exactly what the Saints envisioned when they signed him to a four-year contract last offseason. 

Bryan Bresee, DT 

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen talks to defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders both had good outings. However, it was the rookie Bresee that was the star on the interior of the New Orleans defense. The first-round choice continued his outstanding season with two sacks of DeVito and several other pressures. 

Not just disruptive as a pass rusher, Bresee was also a major factor for the run defense. He spent the afternoon in the New York backfield and was unblockable at times. His quickness off the snap and combination of power and agility created chaos for the Giants. 

After a great start to the year, Bresee hit a bit of a wall. He's rebounded in a resounding way the last two weeks, helping to fuel a defensive line that's caused tremendous havoc. 

Demario Davis, LB 

FILE PHOTO: / Oct 16, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) reacts to sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (not shown) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of havoc, Demario Davis answered critics who suggested that he had lost a step the last two weeks. Davis led all tacklers with 10 stops on Sunday. More importantly, nearly all of those were impactful tackles in key moments. 

Davis was like a man possessed in the first half. His first quarter sack of DeVito put the Giants into a long yardage situation that eventually resulted in a punt. He stuffed Barkley for a loss on New York's next series, again forcing a long yardage situation that resulted in a punt.

Barkley was a non-factor against the Saints. This was because of a combination of an outstanding defensive line and Davis showing why he's one of the NFL's best all-around defenders. He didn't just squash New York runners at the line of scrimmage, but blanketed Barkley on several pass routes out of the backfield to take that option away from DeVito. 

Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE

New Orleans Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (92). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

A seven-year pro, Kpassagnon had a career performance that jumped off the page. He came into this game with a half sack this season after two sacks all of last year. Kpassagnon exploded for three sacks and four QB hits against the Giants, by far the best day of his underrated career. 

Two of Kpassagnon's sacks came on third down to force a punt. The third was when he teamed with Baun to push the Giants backwards on a drive that had advanced into New Orleans territory. He created massive disruption from the edge, but also crashing inside.

The Giants had to pinch their blocking inside in the second half as an adjustment to not being able to handle New Orleans tackles and inside stunts over the first two quarters. Kpassagnon made them pay for that strategy, destroying one-on-one blocking assignments against him.

Kpassagnon was just one of several New Orleans complementary players that played like stars on Sunday. Granted, the Giants are not a good team. Still, this all-around dominance showed what the Saints are capable of in all phases. With their playoff fate in their own hands over the last three games, hopefully this is a performance that they can build on.