Saints Pass Defense Must Shut Down Big-Play Eagles Attack

New Orleans may not have to contend with explosive Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, but must still find a way to contain Philadelphia's other big-play weapons in a crucial Week 17 matchup.

Author:
Bob Rose
Publish date:
Jan 1, 2023 9:00 AM EST

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are at the Philadelphia Eagles for a Week 17 New Years Day showdown. New Orleans comes into the game with a 6-9 record and is hoping to cling onto slim playoff chances. Philadelphia, at 13-2, needs a win to clinch the NFC East and lock up the conference's Number 1 seed.

The Saints have leaned on their defense of late. New Orleans has allowed less than 20 points in their last four outings and surrendered more than 20 just once in the last eight contests. They enter this game allowing an average of 322.4 total yards per game to rank ninth in the league.

New Orleans faces off against an explosive Philadelphia attack that beats defenses in multiple ways. The Eagles are the NFL's top-ranked scoring team and rank third in total offense, averaging 397.3 yards per game.

Philadelphia has a devastating rushing attack, but what's made them even better in 2022 has been a vastly improved passing game. New Orleans has had their struggles against the run and must stop the Eagles in that area. They'll also be challenged by Philadelphia's big-play aerial weapons.

Saints Pass Defense

- 21.7 points per game (14th)

- 190.4 passing yards/game (2nd)

- 16 passing touchdowns (4th)

- 4 interceptions (31st)

- 61.2% completion percentage

- 40 sacks/77 QB hits

- 41.5% 3rd Down Percentage (24th)

Nov 21, 2021; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans has allowed just one 300-yard passer and two more games of over 270 yards in 2022. Only one quarterback has managed over 200 net passing yards against the Saints in the last nine games.

The New Orleans defense pressures quarterbacks in a variety of ways, starting with a deep crew of defensive ends. Veteran Cam Jordan hasn't had his best statistical output with 5.5 sacks and none in the last four games. Jordan still has 13 pressures, which include 10 QB hits and several more times where he's flushed the quarterback from the pocket.

Marcus Davenport has had a quiet year also. He has just a half sack, but leads the defense with 14 pressures and is a handful for double-team blocking. Many of his snaps have been taken by DE Carl Granderson, who has come on strong the second half of the year. Granderson has 4.5 sacks and 10 pressures, with most of that coming in the last six weeks. Quality depth is provided by Tanoh Kpassagnon and Payton Turner.

The Saints' defensive tackles have been more disruptive lately after being a non-factor for most of the year. David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Kentavius Street, and Malcolm Roach have a combined 10.5 sacks and 24 QB hits. Not great numbers, but much of that production has been in the last month. Particularly Onyemata, who has significantly picked up his play.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) defends a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans linebackers have had a superb year both collectively and individually. Pete Werner was having a Pro Bowl season before missing four games with an ankle injury. He's likely to miss sixth of seven contests today, this time with a hamstring injury. Kaden Elliss has stepped up in his place and has played like a star.

Elliss has 5.5 sacks, seven pressures, and has been much improved in coverage. Most of that productivity has been in Werner's absence. He's been a disruptive force that's taken the entire defense to another level in the last six games.

Demario Davis continues to be the model of consistently strong play. One of the best all-around defenders in the game, Davis leads the team with 6.5 sacks and 94 tackles. He's a devastating blitzer with elite instincts that also has the athleticism to stick with backs and tight ends all over the field in coverage.

Star CB Marshon Lattimore has missed 10 straight games with abdominal injuries, but is reportedly going to play this afternoon. He's an outstanding player capable of shutting down the NFL's best wideouts, but the Saints have shown that they have a strong cornerback unit in his absence. In the last eight weeks, they've allowed no 100-yard receiving games and just one player to have over 70 yards.

Rookie second-round choice Alontae Taylor is quickly emerging as a star. Taylor gets targeted frequently, but has responded by leading the team with 11 passes broken up and allowing only 48.5% completion percentage. With Lattimore out, Taylor has shown the coverage ability to shadow top receivers.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (27). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Second-year CB Paulson Adebo got off to a rocky start this season but has come on lately. Adebo has broken up six throws and allows a 67% completion rate when targeted. Both he and Taylor are physical players, but have the fluid athleticism to play man coverage on any wideout. Veteran Bradley Roby usually takes slot duties, but is an experienced starter and has allowed only 55% completion percentage when targeted this year.

The Saints will again be without the services of S Marcus Maye, who will sit out because of a shoulder injury. P.J. Williams will likely take his spot, with Justin Evans (shoulder) or Daniel Sorensen providing depth.

New Orleans needs veteran S Tyrann Mathieu to be the playmaker he's been through most of his career. Mathieu has two of the team’s four interceptions, but has mostly struggled in his first year with the Saints.

Eagles Passing Attack

- 29.7 points per game (1st)

- 243.6 passing yards/game (9th)

- 24 touchdowns

- 7 interceptions

- 35 sacks

- 48% 3rd Down Percentage (3rd)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia will be without dynamic QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) for the second straight week. Hurts has had an outstanding year, throwing for 22 touchdowns with 5 interceptions and averaging over 248 yards/game through the air. Hurts also adds another lethal dimension because of his running ability.

Gardner Minshew will again take over quarterback duties. Minshew threw for 355 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in last week's loss to Dallas. In 23 career starts, mostly in Jacksonville, Minshew has completed 63% of his throws with 43 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and 13 games of at least 240 yards. He can't threaten defenses with his legs like Hurts, but is an efficient passer with big-play throwing ability.

Even without Hurts, the Eagles have plenty of game-breaking threats. Pro Bowl WR A.J. Brown leads the team with 80 receptions for 1,304 yards and 10 scores. A big-bodied wideout, Brown has five 100-yard outings and four more with at least 70.

Nov 21, 2021; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) in action against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY

He's complemented by explosive second-year WR DeVonta Smith, who has 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 receptions. A lethal threat in the open field, Smith has four 100-yard games and another three with at least 70 yards. Slot receiver Quez Watkins (31 catches, 340 yards, 3 scores) and Zach Pascal round out a deep receiving corps.

Philadelphia also boasts one of the league's best tight ends in Dallas Goedert. The fifth-year Goedert has 46 catches for 611 yards despite missing five games. He's an outstanding route runner and presents an athletic mismatch in the open field.

The Eagles haven't used backs Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, or Boston Scott in the passing game much this year. They've combined for just 45 catches and 238 yards. Each are terrific playmakers in the open field and could be dangerous check-down options.

Philadelphia will be without Pro Bowl RT Lane Johnson (groin) for at least the rest of the regular season. The team still has a formidable offensive line with the presence of two other Pro Bowlers in C Jason Kelce and LG Landon Dickerson.

What to Expect

Nov 21, 2021; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY

The Saints top goal will be shutting down a fourth-ranked Eagles running game that's rushed for over 240 yards in each of the last two meetings between these teams. Minshew doesn't present the rushing threat that Hurts does, but Miles Sanders will be a major challenge.

Even if success at containing the run, the Saints must also contend with Philadelphia's big-play passing attack. New Orleans must generate pressure on Minshew to force him into quick throws and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Lattimore's return can help the defense be much more aggressive with their coverage packages.

Look for the Saints to challenge A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith with man coverage at the line of scrimmage, but they must provide deep help to corners Taylor and Adebo. When Minshew hits shorter throws, New Orleans must make sure tackles to minimize gains to set up long yardage on second and third downs.

The key to the game will be containing Philadelphia's running game. However, the Saints will be challenged to prevent Minshew from getting comfortable or from letting the Eagles receivers make game-changing plays. The Saints slim playoff lives depend on it.