Saints Pass Defense Looks to Rebound Against Colts Passing Attack

Previewing whether a slumping Saints pass defense can get back to form against the Colts passing game.

A 3-4 New Orleans Saints team comes into Week 8 with four losses in their last five contests. They'll try to right the ship on the road against the 3-4 Indianapolis Colts. It's their third road trip in four weeks. 

New Orleans has stumbled defensively over the last month, but still have the league's fourth ranked defense. The Saints give up only 285.7 yards and 18 points per game. They've allowed the second fewest first downs in the NFL and rank second in third down percentage. 

Indianapolis counters with the league's 10th ranked offense in total yardage and ranks sixth in scoring. The Colts average 25.4 points and over 361 yards per outing, but their 12 turnovers are 26th in the NFL. 

Rookie QB Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick, was expected to be the centerpiece of the Colts attack. With Richardson now out for the year, quarterback duties now belong to five-year veteran Gardner Minshew. 

The Saints will first need to shut down a bruising Colts running game, but here's how they match up against the Indianapolis passing attack. 

Colts Passing Game

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) throws a pass over Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (2). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being a run-oriented team, Indianapolis ranks 10th in passing yardage. Minshew has started three games this season with a 1-2 record. He's averaged 287.7 yards in those starts while completing over 65% of his throws with five touchdowns and four interceptions. 

A streaky passer, Minshew has the ability to torch defenses or put his team in a hole with mistakes. He's thrown for over 300 yards in each of the last two games, but threw three picks in a loss to Jacksonville two weeks ago. Also an underrated athlete, Minshew has the ability to escape pressure and patience to stay in the pocket to make plays.

Even through seven different quarterbacks in his four seasons, WR Michael Pittman Jr. has remained highly productive. A big and physical wideout, Pittman leads the Colts with 42 catches for 489 yards, including four outings of at least 70 yards.

Rookie third-round choice Josh Downs is third among all rookies with 33 receptions for 401 yards. Downs is just 5'10" and 175-Lbs., but is an explosive slot target and terrific in the open field. 

2022 second-round pick WR Alex Pierce hasn't had the breakout season many expected with just 14 receptions and 202 yards so far. A 6'3" and 211-Lb. target with great speed, Pierce can still make game-changing plays for his offense. Punt returner Isaiah McKenzie rounds out the depth chart with good open field skills.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) works past Jacksonville Jaguars defenders. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Injured TE Jelani Woods is missed, but second-year Kylen Granson and sixth-round rookie Andrew Ogletree have been solid possession receivers. Granson has 16 catches and 170 yards, but will sit out this week with a concussion. Ogletree has added seven receptions and 95 yards and will now be the starter.

Running back Zack Moss filled in for injured Jonathan Taylor early in the year and proved to be a good target out of the backfield. He and Taylor, who have a combined 24 catches for 222 yards, are excellent in the open field after screens or check-down passes. 

The Colts offensive line is more built for running the football than pass protection. Indianapolis quarterbacks have been sacked 19 times, with Minshew suffering 12 over his three starts.

Especially troubling is along the edge, where LT Bernhard Raimann and RT Blake Freeland have given up tons of pressure. Inside protection has been slightly better with standout LG Quenton Nelson, C Ryan Kelly, and RG Will Fries, but they have been inconsistent. 

Saints Pass Defense 

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) puts pressure on Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17). 

New Orleans ranks fourth against the pass. They're giving up 187 yards per game and 57.8% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. No passer has thrown for as many as 260 yards, with four of seven being held to under 200.

The Saints have eight interceptions, already more than they had all of last year. However, their 13 sacks are the fewest in the NFL -- shocking for a team with so much talent up front. 

End Carl Granderson has emerged as a standout player, leading the team with 4.5 sacks and nine QB hits. Perennial Pro Bowl DE Cam Jordan is off to a slow start. Jordan has a team-high 11 pressures, but just one sack and four QB hits. Both Jordan and Granderson are getting into opposing backfields, but each must do a better job at affecting the play more consistently. 

Rookie first-round DT Bryan Bresee looks like a potential star, especially as a pass rusher. Bresee has 1.5 sacks, six pressures, and is becoming more disruptive with each game. Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, and Malcolm Roach round out a solid interior rotation, but one that also needs to be better at getting quarterbacks on the ground. 

Linebacker Demario Davis continues his exemplary play. Davis has two sacks and six pressures while still showing capable of covering backs or tight ends anywhere on the field. Fellow LB Pete Werner isn't as disruptive as a pass rusher or as athletic in coverage. However, Werner shows great awareness in zones and is becoming more effective as a blitzer. 

No team has more talent and depth than the Saints do in their secondary. It's a unit that's allowed only one 100-yard receiver and capable of silencing even top passing attacks. However, this position has suffered some critical breakdowns at crucial moments of four losses to average (at best) pass catchers. 

New Orleans has an elite corner in Marshon Lattimore, who typically shadows an opponent’s top receiver. Lattimore has one interception, seven passes broken up, and allows just 54.5% completion percentage when targeted. 

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots receiver DeVante Parker (1). Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY

On the other side of Lattimore is third-year CB Paulson Adebo, who's intercepted a pass, broke up five others, and allows only 55.6% completion rate. Adebo draws flags because of his physical play (and referee idiocy), but would be the Number 1 corner on most teams. 

Second-year CB Alontae Taylor has had some rocky moments from the slot after a marvelous rookie year outside. Still, the physical Taylor has broken up seven throws and has added a sack and four tackles for loss while giving up less than 63% completion percentage. 

Safeties Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu are a versatile duo capable of playing near the line of scrimmage or providing rangy coverage support. Each have an interception and have combined to break up five passes. Rookie fifth-round choice Jordan Howden has flashed glimpses of a bright future with his versatility and coverage range.

What to Watch 

Dec 16, 2019; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) defends a pass against the Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, and Trevor Lawrence didn't necessarily put up gaudy statistics in defeats of New Orleans. However, each made plays in critical moments and were able to get into a rhythm against the Saints defense. 

Pressure was seriously lacking against all four of those quarterbacks. Additionally, the secondary gave up back-breaking plays to mostly underwhelming receivers.

New Orleans need to first down the Indianapolis running game, but must also dominate the trenches to put heavy pressure on Minshew. The Saints need to play up to their coverage capabilities and make plays in the secondary.

Pass defense is far from the top reason why New Orleans has lost four of five games. But the difference between a good and a great defense is the unit that makes plays to turn momentum or with the game on the line.

With their ongoing offensive problems, the Saints need this defense to be great, not just good, to win games.