Saints Suffocating Defense Squares Off Against Promising Texans Passing Attack
New Orleans Saints defenders were dominant in last week's 34-0 road shutout of the New England Patriots. The 3-2 Saints are back on the road this week as they take on the 2-3 Houston Texans.
On the cusp of being an elite defense, the Saints sit near the top of the league in almost every category. They rank fourth in total defense (274.6 yards per game) and points allowed (15.2/game) while surrendering the second fewest first downs and third best unit on third downs.
Houston comes into Week 6 with the league's 11th ranked offense, averaging 357.4 yards and 23 points per outing. With a surprisingly anemic running game that ranks just 27th, the Texans have had to rely on rookie QB C.J. Stroud and the passing attack. The second overall choice, Stroud looks like a potential star. How will he fare against a top-tier New Orleans defense?
Saints Pass Defense vs. Texans Passing Attack
Houston Passing Game
Oct 8, 2023; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Stroud has been far and away the most impressive of the three quarterbacks drafted in the first four selections. He's completed over 61% of his throws and has two 300-yard outings so far with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. The Ohio State product has shown a great ability to read defenses, patience in the pocket, mobility to make plays on the move, and the arm to hit every throw.
Houston has a group of receivers that aren't household names, but have made plays for their young quarterback. Third-year WR Nico Collins is already nearly set career-high totals after just five games this season. Collins, a big target at 6'4" and 215-Lbs., has two games of over 145 yards and leads the team with 25 catches, 467 yards, and three touchdowns.
Veteran Robert Woods was an excellent offseason pickup and has 21 receptions for 221 yards. Woods is a terrific route runner and has often been a security blanket for Stroud in key situations. He's been limited in practice with a rib injury, but should be good to go on Sunday.
Rookie third-round choice Tank Dell has made an immediate impact and has one outing of 145 yards and at least three receptions in four of five contests. Dell, who has 19 catches for 324 yards and two scores, is just 5'10" and 165-Lbs., but runs good routes and is shifty in the open field. He's been unable to practice this week with a concussion that has his Sunday status in doubt.
Dell's potential absence would mean more snaps for 2022 second-round pick John Metchie. After missing all of his rookie year because of leukemia treatments, Metchie has six catches for 72 yards in four games. He's an explosive big-play threat that can take the top of defenses. Wideout Noah Brown is also expected back in the lineup after being sidelined since the season opener.
Aug 27, 2023; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Brown and TE Dalton Schultz were both signed away from the Cowboys as free agents this offseason. Schultz has been an outstanding target for Stroud in key moments. The athletic tight end has 17 catches for 154 yards and two scores while proving to be a coverage mismatch for most linebackers. Third-year TE Brevin Jordan provides quality depth at the position.
The Texans don't use their backs as receivers often. Starter Dameon Pierce and backup Devin Singletary have combined for only 13 catches and 109 yards. Still, both are threats as open field runners if used as check-down options.
With an often one-dimensional attack and injuries along the offensive line, Stroud was sacked 11 times in the first two weeks. However, he hasn't been sacked at all in the last three games. Houston's offensive line looks to have all their starters in place for the second week in a row on Sunday.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is one of the league's best at protecting the blind side. Veteran RT George Fant is a physical player, but has trouble with athletic edge rushers. The Texans will likely move former first-round choice Tytus Howard back there to deal with Cameron Jordan.
Howard has also played left guard, but will almost certainly move back outside with the return of Josh Jones. Reliable veteran Shaq Mason and C Jarrett Patterson hope to form solid interior protection for Stroud.
New Orleans Pass Defense
Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) intercepts a pass against the Tennessee Titans. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
The Saints rank fourth against the pass, giving up an average of 183 yards through the air and just 57% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. They already have seven interceptions, equalling their total all of last year, and have allowed only one receiver to have more than 70 yards against them.
New Orleans has arguably the deepest and most talented secondary in the league, especially at cornerback. Elite CB Marshon Lattimore leads the unit and typically handles an opponent’s top receiver one-on-one. Lattimore has one interception, six passes broken up, and allows only 52% completion rate when targeted.
Second-year CB Alontae Taylor has had some growing pains learning the slot, but is showing the same star potential he did as a rookie. Taylor is tied for the NFL lead with seven passes broken up and surrenders 60% completion percentage in man coverage. He's also proven to be an effective blitzer from the outside, notching one sack and four tackles for loss.
Starting CB Paulson Adebo returned from a two-game injury absence last week. Adebo has allowed 55.6% completion rate when targeted and has one interception. Lattimore, Taylor, and Adebo are all extremely physical corners with the athleticism to stay with any wideout all over the field. While Adebo was sidelined, Isaac Yiadom stepped up to play outstanding ball and gave up just 47% completion percentage while intercepting one pass and breaking up seven others.
Marcus Maye (1 interception) returns to the lineup this week after a three-game suspension. Maye was off to an outstanding start to the year. He teams with Tyrann Mathieu (1 interception) to give the team a pair of versatile and rangy playmakers at the position. Rookie fifth-round choice Jordan Howden is also showing tremendous promise in coverage.
Sep 24, 2023; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) gets into the backfield against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints pass rush returned with ferocity last week after disappearing for two games. New Orleans has 11 sacks and 27 QB hits on the year, with nine different players recording a sack.
Fifth-year DE Carl Granderson looks on his way to a career season. Granderson has 3.5 sacks and nine pressures and is a lengthy athlete with excellent burst around the edge. The incomparable Cam Jordan continues his standout play at right end. Jordan has just one sack so far, but leads the team with nine pressures. Tanoh Kpassagnon provides excellent depth and versatility at end or even inside on passing situations.
New Orleans has gotten strong pressure from a revamped defensive tackle spot. Rookie first-round pick Bryan Bresee has 1.5 sacks, 6 pressures, and is getting better with each week. Free-agent pickup Nathan Shepherd (1 sack, 4 pressures) has been overlooked in national circles, but plays with impressive power and positioning. Khalen Saunders and Malcolm Roach provide good depth to what's been a deep and disruptive position.
Linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner are the glue to this outstanding defense. Davis is able to lock onto backs or tight ends all over the field in man coverage and has elite instincts in zones. He's also a disruptive blitzer coming off a career-best 6.5 sacks in 2022.
Werner isn't as good as Davis in man coverage, but has good instincts in zone duties. He's also an improved blitzer this year, recording both the first sack and first interception of his career.
What to Expect
Aug 26, 2017; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes the passer against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
New Orleans has had problems with mobile quarterbacks in recent years, but moved Kpassagnon inside on some obvious passing situations last week to get faster up front. The strategy paid off pretty well, resulting in a sack and several other pressures.
Stroud isn't a prototypical running quarterback, but has the athleticism to escape pressure and make plays. New Orleans must maintain a consistent rush to keep him from getting into a rhythm. This will also hopefully result in mistakes, although Stroud has set an NFL record for most consecutive passes without an interception to start a career.
The Texans have protected their quarterback well in recent weeks, so don't be surprised if the Saints blitz early to create extra pressure.
