By Ross Jackson
ATLANTA — Although the New Orleans Saints will be fielding a shaken-up offensive line marred by injury, the team could still have the advantage over an underperforming pass rush. Per Next Gen Stats, the Atlanta Falcons have fielded the league’s least effective pressure percentage (20.0%) of the 2024 season thus far.
That could work in the favor of Saints quarterback Derek Carr who was under more pressure in Week 3 loss (12 dropbacks) than his first two weeks combined (8 dropbacks).
The key for New Orleans will be to not gift the Falcons with a more efficient pass rush, which may be more easily said than done. The Saints will be without starting center Erik McCoy, which may have been a key factor leading to the pressure generated by the Eagles (40.7%). The offensive line for New Orleans will have to find a way to hold up and keep Atlanta in check at the line of scrimmage.
Certainly a stronger run game performance can help, as can a quick passing game that takes advantage of potential stacked boxes, which Atlanta has not deployed often.
If New Orleans can keep the Falcons from developing their pass rush against them, the team will have more avenues to get back to its previous explosive and winning ways. The injuries the Saints have suffered can’t be undone. They, just like every team across the league, have no choice but to compete. This could be a statement game for the Saints and their rising star offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. And it all starts up front.
