By Ross Jackson
Sunday’s second-half storming came up just short for the New Orleans Saints as the Washington Commanders did just enough to weather the surge. After falling into a 17-point hole, the Saints marched back to within a single point. The Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades indicate the momentum shift was brought upon by not only a quarterback change but a strengthening defense is evident.
Top 5
DE Carl Granderson – 87.0
Finishing the game with one of the team’s eight sacks and three defensive stops, Granderson was a force. He should have had a pair of sacks were he to have wrapped up Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on another pressure, but nonetheless, his presence was felt. He had four total pressures and looked great in the run game.
C Erik McCoy – 78.9
Despite one false start penalty and a pressure surrendered, McCoy graded out extremely well. His 91.1 run block grade joins the season’s opening pair of performances as one of his top-three run blocking displays of the season. There is no doubt that the Saints are very happy to have McCoy back in their lineup and anchoring their offensive line.
TE Foster Moreau – 77.1
If there’s any player that already gets a healthy amount of snaps that absolutely deserves more on the Saints roster, it’s Moreau. The former LSU Tiger was a go-to target for both quarterbacks but played a particularly big role for rookie passer Spencer Rattler in the second half. Moreau caught the touchdown pass from Rattler at the end of regulation that put the Saints in position to win the game with the two-point conversion. His additional aid in pass and run protection was invaluable as well.
WR Cedrick WIlson Jr. – 74.6
Wilson’s second touchdown as a Saint happened in a fashion that no one was ready for, including the Commanders defense. His 21-yard touchdown strike to running back Alvin Kamara, who reeled in an incredible one-hand grab in the process, resulted in the first Saints points of the game and began the 19-point second half. Beyond the touchdown pass, though, Wilson’s contributions as a run blocker were also appreciated by the PFF graders, yielding a strong 83.0 grade.
Nola.com’s Rod Walker shared Wilson’s high school senior year quarterback stats after the touchdown throw, and they’re not too shabby.
LB Demario Davis – 72.6
14 tackles, five defensive stops, two tackles for a loss, a pair of pressures and a sack. Davis’s day was outstanding. The only reason his grade isn’t even higher is because he was credited with three catches allowed for 23 receiving yards. But if one 21-yard completion is what has to be sacrificed for a game as strong as the one Davis just played to be had, so be it.
Bottom 5
S Ugo Amadi – 53.3
CB Alontae Taylor – 51.7
DT Bryan Bresee – 50.0
RT Trevor Penning – 49.1
LG Lucas Patrick – 48.0
Amadi’s grade doesn’t deserve to be as low as it is. Sure, he’s credited with five catches given up on six targets for 40 yards. But only a pair of those completions resulted in first downs and the longest was just 13 yards. He allowed just 12 yards after the catch, making numerous plays at the catch point and again had an impact in the backfield, getting a sack on third down to force a punt, his second of the season.
Taylor, Penning and Patrick would have earned their lower grades, based on PFF’s charting.
Taylor is credited with a touchdown surrendered, likely the Commanders’ first to wide receiver Terry McLaurin which was the result of a scramble drill. Not the easiest assignment for a cornerback. But a 155.6 passer rating when targeted is going to be hard to shake in the aftermath of a game.
Penning and Patrick both struggled in separate areas of the game. Penning is credited with four pressures given up with one being a sack. Meanwhile Patrick isn’t credited with a single pressure but was penalized with a costly holding penalty early and graded poorly in the run game again. Patrick’s two games since returning to the lineup have generated his worst run blocking grades of the season.
Bresee had three pressures, no missed tackles and a pair of tackles in this game. One of his tackles was considered a defensive stop by PFF. But the analytics site continues to rank the second-year defensive tackle and breakout defender lowly. He was double-teamed 12 times in this game, which opened the door for a pair of sacks by other pass rushers. Bresee’s contributions continue to be impactful even if he’s not the one filling the stat sheet.
