Saints Pass Defense vs. Lions Passing Attack

The Saints will have their hands full with an explosive Lions offense. Here's how they could contain their passing attack.

The New Orleans Saints fell to 5-6 and out of first place in the NFC South with a listless drubbing at the hands of the mediocre Atlanta Falcons last week. New Orleans returns home in Week 13, but it's to face the 8-3 Detroit Lions coming off an extra four days of rest.

After a terrific start to the year defensively, the Saints have slumped badly on that side of the ball. They still rank a respectable 12th in total defense, surrendering 320 yards and 20.2 points per game. However, putrid starts have seen this unit give up nearly 19 points, 234 yards, and 58% third down percentage in the first half alone of their last six contests. 

Visiting New Orleans is an explosive Lions offense that ranks second in the NFL in total yardage with nearly 406/game and seventh in points scored with 26.7/game. Detroit has multiple ways that they can beat defenses and have scored 30 or more points five times while being held under 20 just once.

The Lions have committed seven of their 17 turnovers in the last two games. QB Jared Goff has been responsible for six of those seven turnovers. New Orleans ranks among the league leaders with 20 turnovers forced. They have 12 interceptions, second most in the NFL.

Perhaps an opportunistic Saints defense can cause enough havoc against Goff and the Lions passing attack to pull off an improbable upset. 

Detroit Passing Game 

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Goff has taken care of the ball reasonably well until recently for a Detroit passing attack that ranks third with 268.6 yards per game. He's completed 68% of his throws with 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while throwing for over 300 yards in four games and at least 250 in three others.

A streaky pocket passer throughout his eight-year career, Goff has maintained a high level of play for the Lions this season. However, he lost three fumbles in a Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay less than a week after throwing three interceptions against Chicago. 

Detroit has blessed their quarterback with a litany of playmakers. Top among them is third-year WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who leads the team with 82 receptions for 993 yards and five touchdowns. St. Brown, who has six 100-yard games, is an elite route runner with excellent quickness after the catch. 

Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY

Josh Reynolds, a teammate of Goff with the Rams, is a tall and underrated receiver with 27 catches for 438 yards and four scores. Jameson Williams, the 12th selection in the 2022 Draft, has dealt with injuries and suspension that has curtailed his production. However, Williams has flashed game-breaking skills and has 12 catches for 184 yards with two scores in six contests. 

Kalif Raymond is a diminutive playmaker who's caught 26 balls for 372 yards and a score which also being a dangerous punt returner. Donovan Peoples-Jones is a big-bodied target that's been with the team just two weeks since his trade from Cleveland, but is capable of providing quality depth. 

Rookie second-round choice Sam LaPorta is already among the better tight ends in the NFL. LaPorta has 55 receptions for 539 yards and five scores. He's fifth among all tight ends in receiving and consistently beats defenses at every level with impressive routes and athleticism. 

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs untouched into the end zone for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit's top draft choice in 2023, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, was picked for his explosive receiving skills. He hasn't disappointed. Gibbs has pulled in 41 of 52 targets for 278 yards, catching at least three passes in six of his nine games. He runs routes well enough that he's just as effective when lining up out wide to create mismatches. 

The Lions have a top-tier offensive line that has allowed Goff to be sacked only 20 times this season. They're especially dominant when containing edge rushers, where LT Taylor Decker remains solid and RT Penei Sewell is one of the finest in the game. 

Inside, Detroit has had some recent pass protection issues. C Frank Ragnow is one of the league's best, but RG Graham Glasgow is a better run blocker than pass protector. The Lions may get LG Jonah Jackson (wrist) after missing five of the last six contests. He'd be a major upgrade over rookie Colby Sorsdal, who has given up several crucial pressures. 

New Orleans Pass Defense 

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) takes a hit from New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints have struggled against the run, but remain pretty strong against the pass at seventh in the league. They've allowed 196 yards per game through the air and have held quarterbacks to just 59% completion percentage. No opposing passer has thrown for over 270 yards against them, with the Saints holding five teams under 185 yards through the air. 

New Orleans may also be without four top defensive starters against Detroit. CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) is on injured reserve. DE Cameron Jordan, LB Pete Werner, and S Marcus Maye all missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. All three look like game-time decisions at best for Sunday. 

Even a limited Jordan could be a crippling blow. The Saints pass rush has already been atrocious. Only one team has fewer than their 18 sacks this year. They've had only seven sacks in the last six games, with defensive ends only responsible for three of those. Jordan is having his least productive year with just two sacks and six QB hits, but he's still capable of making plays. 

Tanoh Kpassagnon would take Jordan's reps, with unproven rookie Isaiah Foskey and journeyman Kyle Phillips providing depth. Fifth-year DE Carl Granderson got off to a torrid start on the other side.  Granderson has 5.5 sacks, 14 QB hits, 17 pressures, and 10 tackles for loss. He leads the team in all four categories but has been extremely quiet for the last month.

Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) has his pass blocked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

While improved over last year, New Orleans defensive tackles have generated little QB pressure. Rookie first-round pick Bryan Bresee has been the most disruptive of the group with 1.5 sacks and seven pressures. He's had little production recently, despite an impressive six passes batted down. Nathan Shepherd, Malcolm Roach, and Khalen Saunders have combined for two sacks (both by Shepherd) and eight QB hits. They are better run defenders than pass rushers.

To nobody's surprise, LB Demario Davis is having another good season. Davis, the team's leading tackler, has four sacks, seven QB hits, and 11 pressures. He also has terrific awareness in coverage in either man or zone, albeit having lost a step. 

The Saints will be limited with the ways they can use Davis if Werner (shoulder/oblique) misses this game. Werner is not great in coverage and can be a liability in space. However, there's a much bigger drop-off to Zack Baun if he doesn't play.

New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) returns an interception for a touchdown against the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY

Even without Lattimore and potentially Maye (shoulder), the Saints have a quality secondary. Only the 49ers have more than the 14 interceptions that New Orleans has in 2023. Veteran S Tyrann Mathieu (3 interceptions) is still a playmaker with tremendous instincts. Veteran Johnathan Abram was promoted from the practice squad for additional depth. Abram in coverage = Bad Idea. However, rookie Jordan Howden has been impressive with his opportunities this year.

Third-year CB Paulson Adebo is having a magnificent season. Adebo leads the team with four interceptions and 13 passes broken up. He also allows only 57.4% completion rate when targeted with his combination of physicality and athleticism. 

Alontae Taylor has been fantastic from either the slot or outside in his second season. The physical Taylor has yet to record an interception, but has broken up 10 throws and has allowed only one touchdown pass. He's also a terrific athlete that has proven to be an efficient blitzer (1 sack, 3 pressures, 5 tackles for loss) from the slot.

Isaac Yiadom will step in for Lattimore. Yiadom played at a high level when Adebo missed time earlier this season. He's intercepted one pass, broke up seven others, and has surrendered just 50% completion percentage on 18 targets against him.

What to Watch 

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) intercepts a ball meant for Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints shouldn't have to worry about Goff scrambling, a major weakness for them all season. However, they'll need to slow Detroit's running game and pressure Goff to have any chance. 

Goff turned the ball over six times in the last two games. Opponents have also recorded five sacks and 20 QB hits in those contests. Even with the Saints coverage talent, pressuring Goff into hurried throws is critical against Detroit's talented pass catchers.

Don't be surprised if New Orleans comes in with a blitz-heavy game plan. It's become clear that the Saints can't generate pressure with their front four. With Jordan hobbled, New Orleans may stack extra interior blitzers to prevent Goff from getting into a rhythm. Doing so would increase the importance of one-on-one coverage matchups. Especially against LaPorta, a position that has given the Saints fits in recent weeks.