Saints Defense Looks to Pounce on Erratic Browns Passing Attack

New Orleans will need to shut down Cleveland's running game, but must also stop the Browns passing attack from getting any momentum to gift wrap a Christmas Eve win.

Author:
Bob Rose
Updated:
Dec 23, 2022 10:30 AM EST
Original:
Dec 23, 2022

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints trek north to take on the Cleveland Browns in a Saturday afternoon game on Christmas Eve. New Orleans (5-9) needs a win to maintain their slim playoff chances, as do the 6-8 Browns.

Weather is expected to affect both offenses on Saturday. A winter storm forecasts potential heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and high winds starting Friday into Christmas Day. It's the kind of weather that would seem to favor the defenses but might be perfect for the Browns' offensive style.

New Orleans comes into this game, allowing 327.6 yards per game defensively to rank 11th in the NFL. Those are solid numbers, but the Saints have forced only ten turnovers, the fewest in the league, and have been prone to breakdowns in crucial moments. Even more concerning has been the team's struggles against the run that has plagued them all year.

The Saints take on a Browns squad that added a big-time quarterback in Deshaun Watson this offseason. Watson is entering his fourth game after an 11-game suspension for an offense that ranks eighth in total yardage with 362.6 per outing. Most of that is thanks to a physical fifth-ranked running game.

If New Orleans manages to slow Cleveland's running attack, will the Browns be able to win the game through the air?

Saints Pass Defense

22.5 points per game (17th)
195 passing yards/game (7th)
16 touchdowns (6th)
3 interceptions (32nd)
62% completion percentage
38 sacks/73 QB hits
41.4% 3rd Down Percentage (22nd)

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans has allowed only one 300-yard passer and held eight opponents under 200 yards through the air this season. However, key breakdowns cost them late losses to Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Tampa Bay.

The Saints' pass rush started slowly in 2022, but since Week 3 have been among the league leaders in sacks and pressures. Veteran DE Cam Jordan is having another strong year. Jordan has 5.5 sacks and 13 pressures in a down year by his standards, but still creates consistent disruption along the edge.

New Orleans has one of the league's most talented defensive end rotations. Marcus Davenport complements Jordan well. He has just a half sack, but his 14 pressures lead the team. Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon provide terrific depth and have combined for 7 sacks and 14 QB hits.

The defensive tackle has been a weak area for the team most of the year, but they've made some noise in recent weeks. David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Kentavius Street, and Malcolm Roach have contributed little most of the year. However, the majority of their combined 9.5 sacks and 21 QB hits have occurred over the last month.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) makes an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans linebackers have been a model of consistency all season. Unfortunately, LB Pete Werner will miss his fifth of six games, this time because of a hamstring injury. However, Kaden Elliss has played like a star in his absence.

Elliss, a fourth-year pro, has 5.5 sacks and 64 tackles this season. Both numbers are career bests. Forty-nine of those stops and 4.5 sacks have come in the last six games since Werner has been hurt. A physical downhill player, Elliss has also shown marked improvement in his coverage skills, which was thought to be a weakness.

The most important cog in the defense remains LB Demario Davis, who was just named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Davis has a team-high 6.5 sacks and 89 tackles, including nine for loss and an interception along with five passes broken up. He's an elite run defender and devastating blitzer, but also has the ability to cover backs and tight ends all over the field.

Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) battles for position with New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (27). Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Star CB Marshon Lattimore looks closer to returning from abdominal injuries, but will likely miss his 10th straight game this week in the cold weather. Rookie CB Alontae Taylor, a second-round choice, is emerging as a star in Lattimore's absence.

Despite playing in just eight games, Taylor leads the team with 10 passes broken up. He's taken on Lattimore's role of often shadowing an opponent’s top receiver and gets targeted frequently, but is giving up only 49.2% completion percentage in man coverage.

Fellow corner Paulson Adebo has struggled a bit in his second season. Adebo has dealt with injuries and a slump. He's broken up six throws, but has allowed over 72% completion percentage when targeted. Still, Adebo is a capable corner with high upside. Veteran Bradley Roby is an above average third corner with starting experience who handles slot duties.

Safety has been the much bigger disappointment. Tyrann Mathieu has two of the defense's three interceptions, but has been a liability because of poor coverage support and awful tackling.

Marcus Maye has had a slightly better season, but has been in and out with injuries and may miss Saturday's contest with a shoulder issue. P.J. Williams (knee) could also be a game-time decision, making this position even more vulnerable.

Browns Passing Attack

22.4 points per game (13th)
213.6 passing yards/game (20th)
4 touchdowns (24th)
9 interceptions (8th)
63.2% completion percentage
30 sacks
37.5% 3rd Down Percentage (22nd)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) takes a snap against the Baltimore Ravens. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Watson's actions off the field are reprehensible, but on the field he's a rare talent. He's been a little slow to get into a rhythm after almost two years of inactivity. In three games, Watson has completed 61% of his throws with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but has thrown for less than 170 yards twice.

Cleveland's top target is reliable veteran WR Amari Cooper, who has 67 catches for 932 yards and 7 touchdowns. Cooper is a terrific route runner who has six 100-yard outings and four more of over 70.

Third-year WR Donovan Peoples-Jones has blossomed into an adequate number two receiver. He has 57 receptions for 782 yards and tests defenses with a combination of physical play and downfield speed. Rookie third-round pick David Bell, who has 23 catches for 196 yards, has also flashed solid potential.

Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

David Njoku is one of the league's most athletic tight ends. Njoku, who has 51 catches for 551 yards, tests defenses with his downfield speed and is an outstanding open field runner. Third-year TE Harrison Bryant is a bit undersized for the position, but has been a solid receiver with 27 catches for 200 yards.

The Browns have a terrific duo of running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb has carried the rushing load, but both backs are lethal weapons on swing passes in the open field. They've combined for 65 catches and 354 yards.

Backup QB Jacoby Brissett averaged 237 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions during Watson's 11-game suspension. The Browns still bring Brissett in for some snaps. It's usually as a runner, but he provides a threat to defenses as a thrower.

Cleveland has a physical offensive line that bullies opponents in the trenches. It's built for their run-based scheme, but they're also big-bodied pass protectors and have had trouble with speed rushers.

What to Expect

Aug 10, 2017; Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler (6) gets tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) during a preseason game. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans has the athletic pass rushers to give Cleveland pass protection problems. However, potentially bad footing could prevent the Saints from lining their ends wide to spread the Browns protection and open up chances for inside blitzes.

Weather and field conditions could force both teams to limit their passing game. That plays into Cleveland's strategy of usually relying on the run. It also tests a New Orleans run defense that has struggled most of the year.

The Saints prefer to play a lot of man coverage. High winds and especially field conditions could force them to more short zones. If New Orleans can shut down the Browns on the ground, a major key to the game, then their ability to tackle short passes and minimize gains would bottle up Cleveland's offense and turn the game into a field position battle.

Facing a winter storm and dealing with an offense even more limited by several injuries, the onus will be on the Saints defense to gift wrap a Christmas Eve victory.