Saints Statistical Leaders | Week 11
The New Orleans Saints will be one of four NFL teams on a bye in Week 11, joining the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots. This is the second from last bye on the NFL schedule, with Week 13 being the final one.
New Orleans comes into their off week with a 5-5 record but possessing first place in the moribund NFC South. The Saints will resume play in Week 12 when they travel to play the 4-6 Falcons in a critical divisional showdown. They'll play four games within the NFC South and face just one team currently above. 500 in their last seven contests.
The Saints have their bye just in time. New Orleans is reeling after being throttled by the Minnesota Vikings in their last outing. Hopefully, they'll use the extra time to improve a slumping defense and inconsistent offense. Additionally, QB Derek Carr, WR Michael Thomas, and CB Marshon Lattimore were all injured against Minnesota. The severity of their injuries isn't clear, but none of the three would have likely played in a game this week.
Here's a look at the statistical leaders for New Orleans as of Week 11.
PASSING
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr
• 65.9% completion percentage
• 2,231 yards
• 10 touchdowns
• 4 interceptions
• 21 sacks
Jameis Winston
• 54.8% completion percentage
• 223 yards
• 2 touchdowns
• 3 interceptions
• 2 sacks
Carr has started every game. He hasn't exactly been the quarterback answer many had hoped for when the Saints signed him this offseason. Carr has four 300-yard games, including three straight at one point. No Saints quarterback has accomplished that feat since Drew Brees back in 2015. However, Carr has often held onto the ball too long, missed open receivers, and has generally been indecisive.
Winston has relieved an injured Carr in two games this season. He put the Saints in position for a game-winning field goal attempt against Green Bay and led two scoring drives to make the final more respectable against Minnesota. Winston is a fierce competitor, but still often makes questionable decisions and forces poor throws into coverage.
RUSHING
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs in a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Alvin Kamara
• 388 yards
• 104 carries (3.7 average)
• 2 touchdowns
Taysom Hill
• 261 yards
• 50 carries (5.2 avg.)
• 3 touchdowns
Jamaal Williams
• 131 yards
• 45 carries (2.9 avg.)
• 0 touchdowns
Kendre Miller
• 83 yards
• 28 carries (3.0 avg.)
• 0 touchdowns
Kamara, as expected, has been heavily involved in his seven games since returning from suspension. He has yet to have a big game on the ground, however, with one game of 80 yards rushing and just two more with over 60 on the ground.
Williams, who also missed four games with a hamstring injury, hasn't provided the backfield spark many expected when he was signed last offseason. Miller has also been in and out of the lineup. He's flashed explosive potential, but more as a receiver (9 catches, 111 yards) than a runner.
Hill remains the team's most consistent short yardage option. His versatility as a passer and receiver also presents a huge test to defenses. An ineffective offensive line has handcuffed this running game most of the season, as has play-calling and the misuse of some of the best individual attributes of the running backs.
RECEIVING
New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Olave
• 56 receptions (94 targets)
• 657 yards
• 3 touchdowns
Alvin Kamara
• 50 receptions (56 targets)
• 305 yards
• 1 touchdown
Michael Thomas
• 39 receptions (64 targets)
• 448 yards
• 1 touchdown
Rashid Shaheed
• 31 receptions (50 targets)
• 525 yards
• 3 touchdowns
Taysom Hill
• 22 receptions (29 targets)
• 159 yards
• 1 touchdown
Juwan Johnson
• 14 receptions (22 targets)
• 97 yards
• 1 touchdown
Olave has been inconsistent and at times has even looked disinterested in his second year. However, he's one of the most physically gifted wideouts in the league and is actually on pace to have more catches and yards than he did as a rookie.
Thomas has shown that he can still be one of the NFL's most reliable receivers in the intermediate areas. One could argue that Thomas hasn't been used enough in the offense, but he adds a physical presence to the attack that nobody else on the roster can match.
The explosive Shaheed sends fear through defenses, but also hasn't been targeted enough. More than just a deep threat, he's a terrific open field runner that's near the top of the NFL with 14.9 average on punt returns.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael can rightfully be criticized for a lot of things, but he's smartly gotten Kamara heavily involved as a receiver. Kamara has been one of the league's most targeted pass catchers over the last seven weeks and provides a tremendous mismatch for defenses.
Hill is a tight end in name only, but has proven to be a legitimate receiving threat. Johnson missed four games with injury, but provides an athletic advantage over defenders if actually utilized. Tight ends have too often been ignored in this offense, with Johnson, Foster Moreau, and Jimmy Graham combining for only 26 catches on 36 targets for 220 yards.
SACKS (18)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (92) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94). Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
• Carl Granderson, DE = 5.5
• Demario Davis, LB = 4
• Cameron Jordan, DE = 2
• Nathan Shepherd, DT = 2
• Bryan Bresee, DT = 1.5
The Saints pass rush has been anemic in 2023 after ranking near the top of the league for the previous several seasons. Granderson has had a breakout campaign and also has a team-high 14 QB hits. Jordan has a team-high 18 pressures, but has been unable to finish plays with only two sacks and six QB hits.
Bresee, Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, and Malcolm Roach have played well inside. However, this team has still lacked consistent interior pressure. New Orleans has been helpless when an opposing quarterback scrambles, often the result of undisciplined play by the entire unit.
INTERCEPTIONS (12)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) intercepts a pass to Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
• Paulson Adebo = 4
• Marcus Maye = 2
• Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu, Isaac Yiadom, Lonnie Johnson, Pete Werner, Zack Baun = 1
The Saints equalled last year's total of just seven interceptions in Week 6 and currently have the second most interceptions in the NFL. A standout secondary has had a few breakdowns, but has held opposing quarterbacks to just 58.8% completion percentage despite a lack of pass rush.
Adebo is arguably been the MVP of the entire team and also has a team-high 13 passes broken up. Alontae Taylor and the elite Lattimore have been nearly as impressive. The safeties have been less consistent, but have still flashed big-play ability.
KICKING
New Orleans Saints place kicker Blake Grupe (19) makes a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY
Blake Grupe, K
• Field Goals = 19/24 (79.2%)
• Extra Points = 19/19 (100%)
Lou Hedley, P
• Gross Average = 43 yards
• Net Average = 39.9 yards
• Kicks Inside 20 = 21
Hedley has been wildly inconsistent and ranks near the bottom of the league in both gross and net average. However, he's flashed some pinpoint accuracy in pinning an opponent deep inside their own territory.
Grupe missed a 46-yard game-winner at Green Bay and shanked a short attempt at Houston, but otherwise has been fairly consistent. His incredible leg strength is consistently on display. He's converted nine field goals over 40 yards and put over 92% of his kickoffs out of the end zone.
Dennis Allen's Saints are a team that plays excruciatingly close to the vest, especially in crucial situations. Grupe will undoubtedly have chances to show whether he was the right choice over veteran Wil Lutz over the last seven weeks.
