Saints Pass Defense Looks To Overwhelm Giants Offense

A week 15 win for the Saints might lie in the ability of their formidable pass defense to dominate what's been an underwhelming Giants passing game.

The 6-7 New Orleans Saints host the 5-8 New York Giants this Sunday in need of a win to stay tied atop the NFC South. New Orleans plays their third straight home game but are just 7-7 at the Superdome in two years under Dennis Allen. The Giants come in riding a three-game winning streak but are 2-5 in road games this season. 

The Saints were carried by a strong defensive effort early in the year, but the unit has had several mediocre performances over the last several games. New Orleans allows 321 yards and 20 points per game, ranking 13th in the league. Their slippage has mostly been due to a porous run defense, but they've also had some issues against the pass. 

The Saints face off against a Giants offense that is one of the worst in the league and is down to their third quarterback. New York's average of 14.1 points and 267 yards of total offense per outing ranks a lowly 31st in the NFL. Their attack centers around the explosive abilities of RB Saquon Barkley, but rookie free-agent QB Tommy DeVito has played well since taking over for injured Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. 

New York has scored more than 17 points only three times this season. Two of those have come in DeVito's four starts. While their passing attack still doesn't inspire much confidence, they have some underrated receivers capable of making plays. 

New York Passing Game 

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants average a pitiful 152 yards per game through the air, ranking last in the NFL. DeVito has averaged 170.3 yards passing in his four starts while completing 66% of his throws with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

The undrafted rookie doesn't have great arm strength, but has shown nice poise and accuracy. He's also a terrific athlete and has shown the ability to make plays with his legs or evade pressure to make throws on the run.

DeVito's athleticism has been necessary. New York quarterbacks have been sacked an incredible 69 times, by far the most in the NFL. They've given up at least five times in eight different games. Second-year RT Evan Neal is showing why the Giants took him with the Number 7 pick in the 2022 draft. The rest of the line has been suitable as run blockers, but absolutely abysmal in pass protection.

New York has a group of athletic pass catchers, but no true Number 1 wideout. This is highlighted even more by the fact that TE Darren Waller is on injured reserve, although he was designated to return this week (unlikely to play). The Giants have had only one 100-yard game from a receiver this season. They have a group of athletic complementary wideouts, but none have shown the potential to step up into a featured role.

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (13) makes a catch behind New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (29) and safety Jabrill Peppers (5). Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Second-year WR Wan'Dale Robinson is New York's leading receiver with 42 receptions for 344 yards. Robinson, who has just one score, is most effective as a shifty slot receiver and is dangerous in the open field. Rookie Jalin Hyatt, like Robinson a Day 2 pick, has 19 catches for 343 yards but no scores. Hyatt has game-breaking speed and is progressing rapidly over the second part of the year.

Veterans Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard are quality wideouts that just haven't stayed healthy, though they've missed a combined two contests this season. Slayton is a physical wideout with good speed that has 34 catches for a team-high 449 yards but only one touchdown. Shepard has added little though, catching just seven balls for 39 yards and a score.

Isaiah Hodges (17 catches, 176 yards, 3 touchdowns) and speedster Paris Campbell (20-104) round out a potentially explosive depth chart. Daniel Bellinger (15-160) has been in for Waller at tight end, but is little more than an extension of the offensive line. 

Saquon Barkley is more than an explosive runner for the Giants. He's also a quality receiver, not just out of the backfield but also able to line up outside. Barkley has caught 31 passes, fourth on the team, for 183 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. 

New Orleans Pass Defense 

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is chased out the pocket by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints rank seventh against the pass, giving up only 189.5 yards per contest. They have yet to allow a passer to throw for 270 yards and have allowed only two to gain as many as 260 while holding six teams to under 200 yards through the air. 

One legitimate defense the Saints have shown against opponents is the lack of a consistent pass rush. They have only 23 sacks, near the bottom of the league. Even when they have gotten pressure, they've done a lousy job at finishing plays and have been even worse at containing mobile quarterbacks. 

Future Hall of Fame DE Cameron Jordan has had a down year and has only two sacks and six QB hits despite 17 pressures. Jordan is also dealing with a severe ankle injury that has greatly limited his snaps the last two weeks. Tanoh Kpassagnon has taken some of Jordan's reps on early downs, with Zack Baun stepping in nicely in some passing situations. 

At the opposite edge, DE Carl Granderson continues to have an outstanding year. Granderson has 6.5 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 22 pressures to lead the team in all three categories. While those aren't elite numbers, Granderson has shown that he can be effective against even the league's better tackles. Rookie DE Isaiah Foskey has athletic potential, but has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. 

Rookie first-round DT Bryan Bresee is flashing the skills of a potential superstar. Bresee has 1.5 sacks with 10 pressures, six QB hits, and six tipped passes. After a quiet stretch through mid-season, Bresee was tremendously disruptive against Carolina last week. Fellow DT Nathan Shepherd has also had an effective year, contributing 2.5 sacks and nine pressures. With Malcolm Roach on injured reserve, Khalen Saunders and Jack Heflin have supplied depth. 

Stud LB Demario Davis remains a major key to New Orleans success defensively. Davis is a force as a blitzer with 5.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 14 pressures. His elite instincts also allows him to continue to be strong in coverage. Davis has broken up four passes and has surrendered only 54% completion of in man coverage this season. 

Fellow LB Pete Werner can be a liability in the open field. Werner is a liability in man coverage, but shows good awareness in zones. Nephi Sewell has also been able to supply some quality snaps in a reserve role. Baun is a major liability when asked to cover, but has been much more effective as a pass rusher.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) intercepts a pass intended for Chicago Bears receiver Tyler Scott (13). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the lack of consistent pass rush, the Saints have been outstanding in coverage. New Orleans has had some issues against athletic tight ends. However, opposing quarterbacks are completing just 57.2% of their throws while the Saints have intercepted 14 passes, among the highest in the league. 

Even without injured CB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans has a deep and talented crew of corners. Paulson Adebo is having the best of his three seasons and is arguably the team’s MVP. Adebo leads the squad with four interceptions and 14 passes broken up. He's also allowing just 56.5% completion percentage when targeted. 

Alontae Taylor has had some inconsistencies while learning the slot this season. Taylor has still surrendered less than 60% completion rate while breaking up 12 throws and recording five tackles for loss. Isaac Yiadom is playing just as well as Lattimore's replacement as he did when filling in for Adebo early this year. Yiadom has an interception to go along with 10 pass breakups and allows only 42.3% completion rate despite heavy targets against him. 

Veteran S Tyrann Mathieu has lost a step in man coverage but still has tremendous anticipation on the ball. Mathieu has three interceptions, seven passes broken up, and expertly baits quarterbacks into mistakes. Rookie S Jordan Howden has been a versatile replacement for the injured Marcus Maye. He's been able to play multiple roles and looks like a long-term starter at the position. 

What to Watch 

New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) stares down Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Dec 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) stares down Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants absolutely need to run the football, that's no secret. Expect New Orleans to be aggressive with extra inside pressure. This strategy will hopefully not just contain Barkley on the ground, but also flood pressure inside on DeVito. Even if successful, the Saints cannot let him scramble outside of such pressure to make plays with his legs.

If New York uses Barkley on screens and shorter throws, the Saints will be challenged in the open field. Davis can't match up with him athletically, but must anticipate these plays to be in position to stop him for shorter gains. The defensive backs must also show the awareness to break of their coverage and have smart angles against Barkley. 

I expect New Orleans to play the Giants wideouts with a lot of press coverage. Such an approach would prevent DeVito from getting any easy looks and hopefully getting into a rhythm. It might also allow Mathieu and Adebo to bait the young quarterback into ill-advised passes. Pressuring DeVito is crucial, but the New Orleans defensive backs can also turn this game into their favor with a few turnovers.