Saints Passing Game Could Have Big Outing at Vikings

Previewing the Saints passing attack against Minnesota's pass defense in a pivotal Week 10 matchup.

The 5-4 New Orleans Saints play their fourth road game in six weeks when they travel to play the 5-4 Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. New Orleans has finally come to life offensively over the last four weeks after a horrible start to the season. 

The Saints rank 13th in total offense and 15th in point production with an average of 343.8 yards and 21.7 points per contest. They still rank 28th in red zone efficiency, but improvement has been noticeable in their last two outings. 

Hosting New Orleans is a Minnesota defense that ranks 14th in total defense with an average of 328 yards per game and 17th in points allowed at 21.1/game. The Vikings have won four straight and five of their last six, holding four of those six opponents to under 20 points. 

The Saints need to establish the run, but much of their success has come through the air. Waiting for them will be a Viking defense that can be extremely disruptive where the Saints have been most vulnerable. 

Minnesota Pass Defense 

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) fumbles as he is hit by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99). Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY

The Vikings rank 18th against the pass, allowing 225.4 yards per game. They've given up one 300-yard passer and two more with over 270 yards. Five of their nine opponents have been held to under 200 net yards through the air. 

Most of Minnesota's pass rush is generated from the edge. They've gotten 16 of their 24 sacks and 26 QB hits from the position. To nobody's surprise, former Saint DE Marcus Davenport has spent more time on the injured list than the field this season and won't play on Sunday. However, D.J. Wonnum has been extremely effective in his place with four sacks and a team-high 10 QB hits. 

Danielle Hunter has been one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL this season. Hunter has an NFL-best 10 sacks and also leads the league with 13 tackles for loss along with three forced fumbles. He has good athleticism on the edge but also excellent power to be equally effective inside. 

Up front, the Vikings play a big but thin three-man front that gets even thinner if Dean Lowry (groin) cannot play. Harrison Phillips (2 sacks, 5 QB hits) has done an outstanding job at nose tackle. Lowry and Jonathan Bullard round out the starting three with Jaquelin Roy providing depth. 

Inside LBs Jordan Hicks and Ivan Pace are downhill defenders that are effective as blitzers and against the run. Pace can be a liability in coverage, but Hicks (1 interception, 4 passes broken up) has great awareness in zone duties. 

Oct 28, 2018; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13). Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Opposing quarterbacks have completed 70% of their throws against the Vikings this season. Minnesota has surrendered four 100-yard receivers and four more players with at least 70 yards through the air. 

Fifth-year CB Bryon Murphy was an excellent offseason addition to the defense. The physical Murphy has allowed nearly 67% completion rate when targeted, but leads the team with two interceptions and nine passes broken up. Second-year CB Akayleb Evans has given up a lot of throws (73% completion rate), but has forced three fumbles and broken up four passes. Rookie CB Mekhi Blackmon is a terrific athlete and looks to have a bright future. 

Minnesota's safeties are a versatile trio capable of making plays in coverage and at the line of scrimmage. Veteran Harrison Smith is one of the league's most respected defensive backs and has 34 interceptions over his 12-year career. Camryn Bynum leads the team in tackles, has broken up seven throws, and is also effective as a zone corner. Josh Metellus has been responsible for four turnovers and has four tackles for loss. 

New Orleans Passing Game 

Oct 19, 2023; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY

The Saints rank 10th in passing production after nine games. After a rocky start, QB Derek Carr now looks like he has a firm grasp of the offense and has been far more efficient recently. 

Carr has completed over 65% of his throws for 2,121 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has four 300-yard outings, including three in his last four games and has thrown eight touchdowns against two interceptions in the last five contests. 

The Saints provide their quarterback with plenty of options. In spite of a recent slump, second-year WR Chris Olave leads the team with 85 targets, 50 catches, and 573 yards. Olave has excellent deep speed, but is also a good route runner underneath with terrific open field running ability. 

Oct 2, 2022; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass between Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (54). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Physical veteran WR Michael Thomas didn't have a catch last week, but has 38 receptions for 439 yards on the year. Thomas is still dominant through the intermediate areas because of his route precision and sure hands. 

Second-year speedster Rashid Shaheed doesn't get the ball enough, but when he does, great things happen. Shaheed has 26 catches for 501 yards and a team-high three scores. He's also among the league leaders with a 15.4 yard average on punt returns.

Versatile RB Alvin Kamara has been used heavily since his return from a three-game suspension. The team's leading rusher, Kamara has also pulled in 43 of his 49 targets for 272 yards. No back in the NFL runs better routes than Kamara, who is a matchup nightmare for defenders. 

Jan 14, 2018; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) catches a touchdown pass over Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints finally got TE Juwan Johnson a little more involved in the offense last week. A converted wideout, Johnson is a matchup problem because of his combination of athleticism and size for the position. He has 13 receptions for 95 yards in five games. Foster Moreau is a more traditional in-line tight end and is a capable short and intermediate receiver. 

Listed as a tight end, Taysom Hill’s versatility remains a vital part of the offense. Best known for his running ability, Hill is also an underrated complementary receiver and a passing threat against an unsuspecting defense. 

Pass protection was abysmal through the first part of the year. The Saints allowed 12 sacks through the first three games and countless pressures over six of their first seven contests. Quietly, this offensive line has protected Carr much better in recent weeks. 

Carr was not sacked in a game for the first time all season last week. Opposing defenses have only two sacks on 119 dropbacks against New Orleans protection the last three games and only four QB hits the last two weeks. 

Veteran Andrus Peat has slid outside for benched first-round pick Trevor Penning at left tackle and is playing surprisingly well. Ryan Ramczyk may no longer be dominant at right tackle, but is still among the league's better players at the position. The team still struggles at times with inside twists and stunts. However, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and James Hurst have all proven to be capable interior blockers.

What to Watch 

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs after a pass reception against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY / Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs after a pass reception against Minnesota Vikings strong safety Andrew Sendejo (34) during the first quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints must find a way to keep Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum from creating havoc on the edge. Don't be surprised if New Orleans keeps Moreau or Johnson in for extra protection. They may also use Hurst or Ruiz to double team on Hunter's side and use Kamara or Jamaal Williams on delayed releases to chip inside rushers.

If Carr gets the necessary time, his receivers should be able to find space in a Minnesota defense that plays a lot of off coverage. The Vikings want to protect against the deep shots, but Carr can manipulate their safeties underneath. Doing so with success should open up the deeper plays.

It's hard to imagine Viking LBs Hicks and Pace being able to stay with Kamara on his option routes. Don't be surprised if he has a big day as a pass catcher. The Vikings have also had troubles with athletic tight ends and physical wideouts. Olave and Shaheed could have some big plays, but Michael Thomas and Juwan Johnson may carve Minnesota coverage up over the middle.