A Deeper Look at the Saints' Pass Rushing Struggles

The New Orleans Saints pass rush has not lived up to lofty expectations so far this season, but how exactly is that the case?

Since 2017, the New Orleans Saints have piled on more than 40 sacks in the first 16 games of each season. This year, with only 18 through the first 10 games of the year, that streak looks like it might come to an end. Save a late push over the next few games, of course.

The team's struggles in pass rush can be easily catalogued with their sack numbers which rank tied for the NFL's third-lowest so far this season. But their struggles are not limited to the amount of times they do or do not take down opposing quarterbacks. Turns out, pressure as a whole has been a challenge for this element of the Saints' defense.

Saints Pass Defense vs. Falcons Passing Attack

With just 117 total pressured dropbacks forced so far this year, the Saints' defense ranks No. 29 in the league. Meanwhile their 30.2% pressure rate ties for the fourth-lowest percentage. With them are teams like the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans. All of which are clubs New Orleans has faced thus far this season. Sort of makes you question the validity of effectiveness of the offensive line in the same breath...

Of that group, only the Vikings have a winning record and the Saints are the only other team without a losing one. So far, they have been able to win games despite their shortcomings in the pass rush department, but will they be able to sustain that? It would be much better if the Saints, following their bye week, see a boost in the area instead.

Saints DE Carl Granderson greets LB Demario Davis before their matchup with the England Patriots / Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Demario Davis (56) high-fives defensive end Carl Granderson (96) during warmups before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

That does not necessarily mean the unit must finish with 40 or more sacks by season's end. But instead, greater efficiency in turning the pressures they can muster more consistently into sacks could go a long way. While New Orleans ranks near the bottom of the league in pressures, their pressure-to-sack conversion rate is also low. 

New Orleans converts pressures to sacks at the third-lowest rate in the NFL. Other teams like the Titans have more sacks (25) despite having fewer pressures (109). A swing in that direction alone is enough to change the narrative of what a good pass rush looks like. 

One of the biggest roadblocks for the Saints' pass rushers this season has been getting mobile passers to the ground. Per Fantasy Points' incredible data suite, Only 9 teams have seen fewer sacks avoided by quarterbacks than New Orleans. Three of those teams have also played an additional game. 

New Orleans can completely change the perception of one of the most important factors to defensive success by more reliably finishing plays when they get to the other team's signal caller. If the Saints make strides toward exactly that improvement, their success as a team will be positively and immediately impacted.