Saints Pass Defense Must Capitalize on Advantages Vs. Panthers Passing Attack

On paper, a terrific Saints pass defense looks to have a big edge over rival Carolina and their new-look passing game.

New Orleans Saints defensive players were instrumental at every level of the team’s 16-15 opening week win over the Tennessee Titans. The Saints allowed only 285 total yards, 2 of 12 on third down conversions, and forced three turnovers in the victory. 

New Orleans stiffened their run defense against Derrick Henry as the game progressed. However, their pass defense was dominant throughout the contest. The 1-0 Saints now face an NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers, on Monday night football in Week 2.

Carolina comes in at 0-1 after losing to the Atlanta Falcons last week. This is an offense with almost entirely new faces at the skill positions, including first overall draft choice QB Bryce Young. Led by offensive-minded coach Frank Reich, the Panthers had 154 yards on the ground against Atlanta but just 127 net passing yardage. 

Bryce Young and the Panthers now face the formidable New Orleans secondary and pass rush in their home opener.

Saints Pass Defense vs. Panthers Passing Attack 

Carolina Passing Game 

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Young completed just 20 of 38 passes for 146 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his NFL debut. He was also sacked twice by a Falcons defense that also registered eight QB hits and 15 pressures. Young was most effective on short passes, especially early in the game. Both of his interceptions, along with two others that were nearly picked off, came in the 10-20 yard range. 

A quarterback with outstanding intelligence, Young will almost certainly improve. He can also escape pressure and make plays with his legs, but his best collegiate traits was his accuracy the ability to read defenses. At just under 6-feet and 194-Lbs., Young will never survive his rookie campaign if he doesn't get better protection. 

The sixth overall choice of the 2022 draft, LT Ikem Ekwonu, is developing into a solid overall blocker. Starting LG Brady Christensen is out for the season. He'll be replaced by Nash Jenson or former Saint Calvin Throckmorton. 

Bradley Bozeman, a better run blocker than pass protector, will be the center. Rookie fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala is the new face at LG, with veteran Taylor Moton manning the right tackle spot. Pass protection has been a major issue for Carolina over the last several seasons. 

The Panthers also haven't given their rookie signal caller many receiving weapons. They used a second-round choice on WR Jonathan Mingo, a physical athlete with tremendous upside. However, there's no clear-cut Number 1 wideout on a depth chart that includes disappointing former Day 2 draft picks Laviska Shenault and Terrace Marshall. 

Former Vikings WR and Saints-killer Adam Thielen was added this offseason. Thielen, a 10-year veteran, is coming his lowest production in a full season since 2015 and had just two catches for 12 yards against Atlanta. He's still an outstanding possession receiver, but may be on the downside of his career. 

Sixth-year veteran WR DJ Chark was also brought in this offseason. Chark has big-play abilities, but has been severely limited by injuries in recent years. He missed the opener at Atlanta with a hamstring injury that has him questionable going into this week. 

Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) breaks away from Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) for a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY

On the bright side, the Panthers finally have a legitimate threat at tight end for the first time since releasing Greg Olsen after the 2019 season. Sixth-year veteran Hayden Hurst is a former first-round choice who brings reliable hands and good route precision to the position. He caught five passed for 41 yards with a touchdown against Atlanta and has established an immediate connection with Young.

We're used to seeing the Panthers use RB Christian McCaffrey often as a receiver. Now that he's gone and with a new coach, that threat may be diminished. Miles Sanders has great open field speed, but wasn't used as a receiver a lot in Philadelphia. Chuba Hubbard is mostly a power back between the tackles. 

New Orleans Pass Defense 

Jan 3, 2021; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest criticism of otherwise stellar New Orleans coverage in 2022 was their lack of turnovers. On Sunday against Tennessee, the Saints intercepted QB Ryan Tannehill three times and nearly had two others. New Orleans held Tannehill to just 16 of 34 for 198 yards on the day. 

Saints cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo make up perhaps the league's best trio. Lattimore, who had an interception and gave up only one completion on six targets last week, typically blankets an opponent’s best wideout. 

Adebo played most of the snaps as the outside corner opposite of Lattimore and came up with an interception of his own while allowing three catches for just 40 yards. Taylor is still settling into a slot role and gave up a couple plays, but the physical defender still has tremendous upside. 

At safety, Marcus Maye played his best game as a Saint against the Titans, finally showed his outstanding range and playmaking ability. Fellow S Tyrann Mathieu was extremely active against Tennessee and is a versatile chess piece within the defensive scheme. Even reserves Ugo Amadi and Isaac Yiadom made clutch plays in last week's victory. 

Linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner are outstanding run defenders, but both are also stellar against the pass. Werner is adequate in man coverage, but possesses outstanding awareness in zone responsibilities. He also notched the first sack of his career against Tennessee. 

Davis is the leader and primary key to the entire defense. He can stay with backs, tight ends, or even some wideouts all over the field in coverage. He's also a disruptive blitzer coming off a career-best 6.5 sacks in 2022.

Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Not to be outdone by their outstanding secondary, the Saints defensive line produced 2.5 sacks and 11 pressures on Tannehill in Week 1. Underrated DE Carl Granderson led the way with 1.5 sacks and 4 pressures. He's developed into a very good complement to perennial Pro Bowler Cam Jordan and has the potential for a breakout year. 

A 13-year future Hall of Famer, Jordan remains a consistently disruptive force. Third-year DE Payton Turner (toe) is lost for the majority of the year. Veteran DE Tanoh Kpassagnon has proven more than capable of stepping up. Second-round rookie Isaiah Foskey will now be expected to play a bigger role. 

Revamped this offseason, a new-look New Orleans defensive tackle spot paid immediate dividends. Free-agent acquisitions Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd, along with returnee Malcolm Roach, got solid interior push. First-round choice Bryan Bresee looked explosive with three pressures and a half sack.

What to Expect 

Dec. 18, 2018; Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore breaks up a pass to Panthers receiver DJ Moore. © SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network

Carolina will look to establish the run to provide balance for their young quarterback. The Saints know that their best chance of victory will be to stop the run early and force the Panthers to rely on a rookie quarterback, pedestrian receivers, and leaky pass protection. 

Look for New Orleans to pressure Bryce Young relentlessly by mixing in blitzes from Davis and Werner. This strategy will be even more effective if their defensive lineman can win their battles and hurry Young without the benefit of an extra rusher.

The Saints will be just as aggressive in the secondary. Lattimore, Adebo, and Taylor will likely challenge the Carolina wideouts with man coverage, but also mix up schemes in an attempt to confuse Young. 

New Orleans came out listless in their last two road trips to Carolina. The Saints have another matchup that they should easily win on paper. Look for this defense to be highly motivated to be considered one of the NFL's elite units.