Saints Pass Defense Looks to Establish Dominance Against Titans
The New Orleans Saints kick off their 57th NFL season when they host the Tennessee Titans in the Mercedes Superdome on Sunday. Both teams are coming off 7-10 records in 2022, with the Saints missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
One area where the Saints were consistently effective last year was with their pass defense. They ranked second against the pass in 2022, allowing just 184 yards per game and 60% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks.
New Orleans was especially dominant against the pass over their last 10 games. During that stretch they held six opponents to 160 yards or less through the air, just one 100-yard receiver, and only one quarterback over 275 yards.
The Saints are again expected to be near the top of the league in pass defense this season. Their Week 1 opponent heavily relies on their running game, but has the pieces to make plays through the air to pull out a win.
Saints Pass Defense vs. Titans Passing Attack
Tennessee Passing Game
Dec 22, 2019; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) completes a pass against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans have spent Day 2 draft picks on QBs Will Levis and Malik Willis the last two years, meaning starter Ryan Tannehill may have a tenuous hold on the job. Tannehill, 35, completed 65.2% of his throws for an average of 211 yards/game with 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 12 starts.
Those were the lowest numbers in Tannehill's four years with Tennessee, but still far better than anyone else (Willis and Josh Dobbs) the Titans had at the position. Tannehill missed two games at mid-season, then the final three contests with ankle injuries. The Titans went 1-4 in those games and averaged a putrid 114 yards per game through the air. They'd finish ranked just 30th in passing production on the year.
Tannehill is a serviceable quarterback in a balanced system, but he doesn't have a lot of quality weapons. The Titans hoped to change that by landing 11-year veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins in free agency. Hopkins, 31, had 64 receptions and 717 yards in nine games with Arizona last year. He's been slowed by injuries in recent seasons but is still a high-quality wideout and will be Tannehill's top target.
Second-year WR Treylon Burks, a first-round pick, must make a significant improvement after just 33 catches and 444 yards with one score in 11 games. He's a big target with good speed, but must run far better routes to get separation. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is another big-bodied wideout and quality complement, but best suited as a third or fourth receiver.
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) gets a first down after a catch against Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57). © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Second-year TE Chigoziem Okonkwo was a pleasant surprise as a fourth-round choice with 32 receptions for 450 yards. The majority of that production came over the last 10 games, as he presents an athletic mismatch for defenses.
The Titans don't use their running backs as receivers often. However, powerful RB Derrick Henry and dynamic rookie Tyjae Spears are dangerous in open space after a check-down pass.
Despite the second fewest pass attempts in the league, Tennessee quarterbacks were sacked an astonishing 49 times in 2022. Former Eagles first-round pick Andre Dillard replaces long-time LT Taylor Lewan, but must now shed a draft "bust" label. Northwestern lineman Peter Skoronski was taken with the 11th overall pick by the Titans and will start at left guard.
There are even bigger questions on the right side of Tennessee's line. Aaron Brewer moves to center after struggles at guard. Former backup Daniel Brunskill takes over at right guard, while journeyman Chris Hubbard steps in for suspended Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle.
New Orleans Pass Defense
Nov. 14, 2021; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Marcus Johnson (88) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23).© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
What was most impressive about the Saints performance against the pass was the fact that they did it without Marshon Lattimore, who missed 10 games with injuries. Lattimore is an elite corner and teams with Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo to form arguably the league's best trio.
Taylor stepped in for Lattimore as a rookie and played outstanding ball. He broke up a team-high 11 throws and allowed just 48.5% completion percentage when targeted. Adebo suffered a bit of a sophomore slump, but came on strong at the end of the year and broke up 7 passes.
Lattimore can shadow an opponent’s best wideout and has the coverage skills to shut down even the league's best receivers. This trio has the ability to contain deep receiving corps, allowing the Saints to be more creative and aggressive with their game plans.
Safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye performed below expectations in their first year with New Orleans. Mathieu played far better down the stretch of the year. Both are proven playmakers that should be more comfortable in the system.
Linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner shoulder a ton of defensive responsibility in this system. Davis is coming off a career-best 6.5 sacks while adding an interception and breaking up six passes. Both players are instinctive in zone duties, athletic in man coverage, and can be disruptive blitzers.
Nov 14, 2021; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94). Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY
New Orleans sacked opposing quarterbacks 48 times last season, fourth most in the NFL. However, they also ranked near the bottom of the league in pressures and hurries. Defensive ends were not the problem. Ageless DE Cam Jordan's statistical production was a bit down (8.5 sacks/17 pressures), but he still has the ability to wreck offenses.
Underrated DE Carl Granderson is coming off the best year of his career with 5.5 sacks and 13 pressures. He's a long-limbed rusher with excellent bend around the edge. The light finally seems to be coming on for former first-round pick Payton Turner. He's coming off an outstanding training camp and could be a major factor in his third year.
Tanoh Kpassagnon doesn't have elite production, but is a quality part of the rotation. Athletic second-round choice Isaiah Foskey is still learning, but could see action in obvious passing situations. The team’s defensive ends would be far more effective with a competent interior pass rush.
New Orleans completely overhauled their defensive tackle position this offseason. Enter new faces Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, and Nathan Shepherd. All three present an athletic upgrade and played well in the preseason, along with holdover Malcolm Roach.
What to Watch
Dec. 22, 2019; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Demario Davis (56). © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com, Nashville Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Don't expect the Titans to come into Sunday with a pass-heavy game plan. They want to rely on the run, putting the onus on the Saints' new-look defensive line to step up immediately. New Orleans looks to have the advantage up front against Tennessee's offensive line, but must win those battles consistently.
One matchup to watch will be along the interior as first-round picks Bresee and Skoronski face off. Saunders, Shepherd, and Roach must also stall Derrick Henry on the ground and provide interior pass pressure. Doing so will set up Jordan and the ends with one-on-one matchups on the edge.
As good as Saints coverage was in 2022, they had just 7 interceptions. That was second fewest in the league and equalled an all-time franchise low. Expect that number to change drastically this season.
Pressuring Tannehill is crucial, especially in the limited time that Tennessee hopes to throw the ball. It will be just as vital for the Saints secondary to make big plays and prevent Tennessee receivers from gaining confidence to change the game's momentum.
