Saints Passing Game Hobbles Into Week 15 Against Giants

Saints get two weapons back, but will be down two other major pieces for critical matchup against Giants.

New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave looks to be a 50/50 shot, or worse, to play this afternoon when his team hosts the New York Giants. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Olave is considered a game-time decision and plans to test an injured ankle before kickoff. However, Rapoport adds that there doesn't seem to be much optimism that Olave will be able to play.

Olave missed all week of practice while dealing with his ankle injury. He's the leading receiver for New Orleans, hauling in 72 of 116 targets for 918 yards and four touchdowns. Olave has been the team’s most consistent target with four 100-yard games and three more with at least 85 yards. He has excellent deep speed, but is also a terrific route runner to threaten defenses at every level.

UPDATE - Olave will not play in Week 15 versus the New York Giants, per Nick Underhill of neworleans.football 

Saints WR Rashid Shaheed will reportedly be back in action after missing the last two games with a thigh injury. Shaheed has 33 receptions for 534 yards and three touchdowns. His elite speed makes him a lethal deep threat, but he's also an underrated route runner with outstanding elusiveness in the open field. 

Wideout Michael Thomas (knee) remains on injured reserve, but Shaheed's return and Olave’s availability would give the Saints a boost for their passing attack. Versatile weapon Taysom Hill will also be back after missing last week with a foot injury. Hill is not only a running threat, but also has completed five of eight passes for 72 yards and a score plus 26 receptions for 229 yards with a touchdown.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints come into Week 15 with the league's 14th ranked passing attack. Quarterback Derek Carr has completed 66.4% of his throws for 2,880 yards, but has only 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Carr has five 300-yard outings, but has also been both indecisive and inaccurate at times.

If Olave or Shaheed are limited, then the Saints will turn to Lynn Bowden, rookie A.T. Perry, Keith Kirkwood, and Marquez Callaway. Perry has had some promising moments and Bowden has intriguing versatility. However, none of the four have shown the ability to be consistent targets. 

With a banged-up receiving corps, RB Alvin Kamara should still be a heavy part of the passing game. Kamara has 63 receptions on 73 targets, both second on the team, for 402 yards and a touchdown. He's a mismatch for defenses out of the backfield, but also a bona-fide threat when lining up outside the numbers. Giants inside LBs Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden will be tested by Kamara's open field ability if he's used properly. 

New Orleans hasn't used their tight ends often enough, but veteran Jimmy Graham, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau could all be valuable in different ways. Johnson is the most heavily targeted of the group and presents the best matchup advantage. He has 20 catches for 152 yards and a score in nine games played, but has struggled with critical drops.

Moreau, and traditional in-line tight end, has 15 catches for 151 yards with a score. He's most effective on short and intermediate routes. Graham's best days are behind him, but he's still a 6'7" target with sure hands who expertly uses his frame to shield defenders. 

New Orleans Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) catches a long pass behind Indianapolis Colts cornerback Tony Brown (38). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Saints receivers will face off against a Giants defense that gives up 226.3 yards per game through the air, ranking 18th. New York has allowed six 100-yard receivers, three more outings of at least 70 yards, and three 300-yard passers. However, they also have 13 interceptions, among the most in the NFL. 

Rookie CB Deonte Banks looks to have a promising future and has two interceptions, 11 passes broken up, and allows just 54% completion percentage when targeted. Veteran CB Adoree' Jackson has been much more vulnerable, but is still an experienced playmaker. Xavier McKinney and Jason Pinnock are a pair of rangy safeties, while Cor'Dale Flott and Darnay Holmes supply quality depth at corner.

New Orleans pass protection has moderately improved over the second half of the year after a miserable start to the season. Saints quarterbacks have been sacked 28 times, but interior protection is still a major issue against inside twists and stunts. Guards Cesar Ruiz, James Hurst, and C Erik McCoy must be far better at picking up inside rushers. 

Veteran LT Andrus Peat has been a pleasant surprise since taking over for a benched Trevor Penning at mid-season. However, Peat is extremely vulnerable to athletic edge rushers. Even more concerning is a knee injury to RT Ryan Ramczyk that had him severely limited in practice all week. As reported by Nick Underhill of neworleans.football on Saturday, Ramczyk is not expected to play. If he can't go, Landon Young will be his replacement with veteran Cameron Erving activated from the practice squad. 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Those protection issues could spell trouble against a blitz-heavy Giants defense. New York had only 23 sacks this season, but has a pair of explosive edge defenders and a powerful interior rusher. Tackle Dexter Lawrence has just 4.5 sacks, but an impressive 19 QB hits while collapsing opposing protection on the inside. A'Shawn Robinson and Jihad Ward will also make plays against single blockers.

Kayvon Thibodeaux is showing why the Giants selected him with the fifth overall choice in the 2022 draft. Thibodeaux has 11.5 sacks, 14 QB hits, and 27 pressures. He'll line up on either side of the formation to maximize his matchups against offensive tackles. Underrated Azeez Ojulari, when healthy, provides explosive pass rush skills opposite Thibodeaux. 

The 6-7 Saints are in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South. New York, 5-8, comes in riding a three-game winning streak. The Saints will certainly look to establish the run against a Giants defense that's been vulnerable in that area. However, a beat up New Orleans passing game must be able to convert key plays to pull out a critical win.