Saints Passing Attack Under Microscope at Falcons
A New Orleans Saints team that underachieved through their first 10 games comes back from their bye for a road showdown against the . The Saints come in with a 5-5 record, but a win over the 4-6 Falcons could give them a firmer grasp of first place in the NFC South. New Orleans has been one of the NFL’s most frustrating offensive squads. Loads of talent, yet weekly blunders with play-calling, penalties, and lack of execution have plagued them. The Saints are ranked 13th in total yards with 337.4 per game. However, they’ve struggled to run the ball consistently (22nd), convert third downs (21st), and establish the line of scrimmage. Most concerning is their inability to finish drives. New Orleans averages only 21.4 points per outing (18th) and are a frustrating 22nd in red zone efficiency.
Hosting the Saints is a physical Falcons team also coming off a bye. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, a former New Orleans assistant, oversees a unit that is 18th in points allowed (21.7/game) but seventh in total yards (309/game) and also holds top-6 rankings on third downs and in the red zone. Saints QB Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol and is on track to play, but the team lost WR Michael Thomas (knee) to injured reserve for at least four weeks. It’s vital that the Saints establish the run, but here’s a
look at how they might fare against a much-improved Falcons defense through the air. ATLANTA PASS DEFENSE Oct 29, 2023; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws as he’s hit by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90). Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports After ranking near the bottom of the NFL against the pass in four of the last five years, the Falcons are ninth in this category through 10 games this season. They’ve allowed just 200 air yards per contest with no 300-yard passers and only one with more than 270. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 63% of their throws against the Falcons with only five interceptions. Atlanta has recorded 62 QB hits, but managed only 21 sacks. They have also allowed three 100-yard receivers with eight more with at least 65 yards.
Big-play defensive lineman Grady Jarrett was lost for the season earlier this month. Without him, former Saint David Onyemata has been the only source of interior pressure. Onyemata has a team-high 12 QB hits, 16 pressures, and is tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks. End Calais Campbell, a 16-year veteran, has also injected life into the pass rush with three sacks, nine QB hits, and 13 pressures. Outside of them, Kentavious Street, Albert Huggins, and Zach Harrison have contributed just one QB hit and no sacks for the defensive line. Edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie has been impressive in his second year, tying Onyemata for a team-high 3.5 sacks in 11 pressures. Ebiketie is a power player who often steps up into a defensive end spot in Atlanta’s 3-4 base alignment. Lorenzo Carter and veteran Bud Dupree team with him to give the Falcons an underrated trio of edge rushers.
