Davis, Jordan turn back clock in PFF grades vs. Cardinals

By Ross Jackson

It might have been a loss for the New Orleans Saints, but a pair of players on defense continue to rewind time. On a team now full of young players and talent, it was the veterans, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Cameron Jordan that were among the highest graded players by Pro Football Focus following the team’s season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Top 5

• LB Demario Davis 92.0
• S Julian Blackmon 84.3
• C Erik McCoy 81.7
• QB Spencer Rattler 78.9
• DE Cameron Jordan 74.2

Davis led the way with his energetic and reliable play throughout the game. He tied with Werner for the lead in total tackles (nine) and also added a pair of tackles for a loss. He allowed only four catches for 12 yards in coverage and was tagged with a touchdown on a four-yard shovel pass to James Conner. Davis also missed no tackles against the run. He may have just entered his age 36 season, but expect the fiery linebacker to be every bit of himself throughout 2025 if Week 1 is any indication of his play this year.

The day for Blackmon could have been even better had he been able to come down with a tipped pass for an interception. But even without that, he had a strong game. He was credited with allowing two catches for just seven receiving yards. 

McCoy was one of five Saints that appeared in 100 percent of the offensive snaps on Sunday. He was a pass blocker on 49 players and allowed no pressures at all. The veteran center was also one of the key blocks on running back Alvin Kamara’s 18-yard touchdown run. With all of the pre-snap work that went into this game, handling the Cardinals’ front, there were a lot of intangible contributions from the center, as well. 

Rattler threw the ball much more than many had anticipated in this game with 46 total passing attempts. His first half (8/11) was stronger than his second (19/35) half, but when he was able to be in rhythm and in situational opportunities, the second-year signal caller performed well. He was more productive using his legs in the second half, taking advantage of the Cardinals’ softer coverages. He picked up 21 rushes on two second half drives as opposed to eight on his first half pair of runs.

Jordan notched 1.5 sacks, stepping into a bigger role than expected with fellow defensive end Chase Young sidelined by a calf injury. Jordan got into a rhythm early and was disruptive throughout the day. Of the players that rushed the passer at least 20 times, Jordan had the second-highest pressure percentage in the game (15.4%) behind only Cardinals rusher Baron Browning (19%).

Bottom 5

• OL Asim Richards 49.5
• TE Jack Stoll 43.2
• DL Jonah Williams 41.9
• RT Taliese Fuaga 39.6
• LB Pete Werner 38.2

Richards and Ruiz each gave up multiple pressures in pass protection, while Stoll, typically strong as a run blocker, was graded down for struggles in that area. Saints’ running backs gained 27 rushing yards on the nine run blocking plays he was in on, an average of three yards per carry. 

Werner was dinged for his run defense, scoring a 34.5 run defense grade. He was credited with two missed tackles against the rush but also had three stops in that area. He didn’t get much help from his other areas of the game in the meanwhile. Similarly, Williams was mostly knocked for his pass rush, generating no pressures on just seven snaps getting after the passer.