Saints Pass Defense vs. Falcons Passing Attack

Saints pass defense looks to rebound from two subpar outings when they square off against rival Atlanta.

A 5-5 New Orleans Saints team comes out of their bye holding first place in the NFC South. They'll attempt to hold that spot when they travel to face the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in a key NFC South matchup. 

New Orleans is reeling defensively after a five-week stretch where they gave up an average of 19 points, 244 yards, and 58% third down percentage in the first half alone. Despite this, the Saints come into Week 12 ranked eighth in total defense. They allow just 19.8 points and 312.7 yards per contest while also ranking in the top-5 in turnovers forced and third down defense. 

The Saints will square off against a Falcons team also coming off a bye. Like New Orleans, Atlanta has had massive offensive struggles in 2023. The Falcons rank 15th in total yardage (335/game), but their 18.9 points per outing ranks only 24th. Atlanta is also turning the starting quarterback job back to Desmond Ridder, who was benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke the last two games. 

The Falcons have a physical offense reliant on running the football. This will be a physical challenge for New Orleans. If the Saints can contain Atlanta's rushing attack, then a big key to the game will be how Ridder fares against one of the league's best pass defenses. 

Atlanta Passing Game 

Nov 12, 2023; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY

Ridder, who got his first start at New Orleans in Week 15 last season, has averaged 188 passing yards in his 12 starts. This season, he has completed 65.4% of his throws with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Ridder is also a threat with his legs, but shows some difficulty going through his reads from the pocket. 

Atlanta hasn't exactly given their second-year quarterback a bevy of quality targets. Two former first-round picks, TE Kyle Pitts and WR Drake London, have performed below expectations. London, in his second year, leads the team with 40 receptions for 474 yards. However, he has just one 100-yard game and two more with over 65 yards. He's a physical receiver, but struggles to get separation. 

Pitts, now in his third season, has 35 catches for 419 yards and one score. Underwhelming for the former fourth overall pick and someone with his incredible athletic attributes. In fact, seventh-year TE Jonnu Smith has been equally productive with 35 receptions for 423 yards and two scores. Smith has also done it on 13 less targets than Pitts. Nonetheless, the Falcons TE tandem does provide them with matchup advantages against most defenses. 

Jan 9, 2022; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs after a catch against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

You can't say that Atlanta's wide receiver group gives Ridder those same kinds of advantages. Aside from London, the other four wideouts on the Atlanta roster have a combined 40 catches for 565 yards.

Mack Hollins (17-247) has been a solid complementary threat throughout his career. Van Jefferson, Scott Miller, and KhaDarel Hodge are big-play threats, but none have stood out so far for the Falcons. 

This year's first-round pick for the Falcons, RB Bijan Robinson, has been an explosive runner. He's also a quality pass catcher, pulling in 29 receptions for 208 yards. Tyler Allgeier is little more than a check-down option out of the backfield. However, versatile RB Cordarrelle Patterson is an outstanding receiver capable of lining up anywhere along the formation. 

Atlanta's offensive line is built more for bullying opponents in the running game than pass protection. Falcons QBs have been sacked 30 times this season. Most of those have come on the edge against LT Jake Matthews and RT Kaleb McGary, both former first-round picks. Guards Chris Lindstrom, rookie Matthew Bergeron, and C Drew Dalman have also had their struggles on the inside. 

New Orleans Pass Defense 

Dec 6, 2020; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) to cause a fumble. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints rank eighth against the pass, surrendering only 199 yards per contest. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 59% of their throws against New Orleans. The Saints also rank near the top of the NFL with 12 interceptions and have only allowed one passer to throw for over 260 yards.

Those impressive numbers have come in spite of a pass rush that has been invisible. The Saints have only 18 sacks and 45 QB hits, among the lowest in the league. Most concerning is the lack of production from future Hall of Fame DE Cam Jordan, who has just two sacks and six QB hits. Still a quality defender, Jordan has 17 pressures but just hasn't been able able to be a finisher this season. 

Fifth-year DE Carl Granderson has been the team’s most consistent pass rusher. Granderson has 5.5 sacks, 14 QB hits, 17 pressures, and 10 tackles for loss. All are team-highs and the best production of his career. Tanoh Kpassagnon provides edge depth, and the Saints also signed veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul during the bye week. 

New Orleans defensive tackles are an improved group over last year, but haven't been a consistent factor for the pass rush. First-round choice Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Malcolm Roach, and Khalen Saunders have combined for 3.5 sacks and 11 QB hits.

Bresee shows tremendous upside. He had 1.5 sacks and four QB hits over the first four contests, but has been in a slump over the last few games. Shepherd and Roach get most of their pressures through effort rather than standout pass rushing skills. 

Veteran LB Demario Davis has been the team’s most consistent pass rusher aside from Granderson. Davis has four sacks and 11 pressures as an effective blitzer. He also remains tremendous in coverage with the athleticism to stay with backs and tight ends all over the field. Fellow LB Pete Werner struggles in the open field, but has good awareness in zone coverage. 

New Orleans has one of the league's most talented secondaries, capable of locking down any receiving group. Injured CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) will miss this game, but the Saints still have plenty of cover talent. Isaac Yiadom will likely be Lattimore's replacement. Yiadom intercepted one pass, broke up seven others, and allowed just 50% completion percentage when targeted in extensive action over three games early in the season. 

Jan 9, 2022; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) breaks up a pass against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Third-year CB Paulson Adebo is having a career year. Adebo leads the defense with four interceptions and 13 passes broken up, both career-best numbers. The physical Adebo is a true ballhawk and gives up just 55.8% completion percentage when targeted. 

After an outstanding rookie year as an outside corner, Alontae Taylor has blossomed into a fine slot defender. Taylor has yet to record an interception, but has broken up 10 throws, allows 60% completion rate, and has a sack to go along with five tackles for loss. 

At safety, Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye are versatile playmakers. The two have combined for three interceptions and seven passes broken up. Promising rookie Jordan Howden provides good depth, but all three have had some struggles with open field tackling this season. 

What to Watch 

Jan 9, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes the passer against Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

It's easy to see why Atlanta turned back to Ridder against the Saints. New Orleans has been helpless against mobile quarterbacks throughout Dennis Allen's tenure, but especially so this season.

The Saints pass rush has been a colossal disappointment. It must come to life against Ridder to forced rushed throws, but must also remain disciplined to prevent him from making plays with his legs. 

Even without Lattimore, New Orleans coverage looks to have a significant advantage against Atlanta wideouts. However, the Saints have given up crucial plays or good games to mediocre pass catchers throughout the year. The Saints will also be at a disadvantage if Werner is matched up with Bijan Robinson in the open field. 

Atlanta's tight ends could cause New Orleans big problems. The Saints have had issues against athletic tight ends all season and were torn apart by Chicago's Cole Kmet and Minnesota's T.J. Hockenson in their last two outings. Don't be surprised if Adebo or Taylor take on Pitts and Smith when if they line up outside the formation. 

Historically, the Saints have been able to generate heavy pressure on Atlanta quarterbacks. Aside from controlling a physical Falcons running game, this feels like it will be the biggest key to a win between these two bitter NFC South foes.