Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Divisional games can always produce unexpected results. The New Orleans Saints are hoping for a similar stroke of luck in Sunday’s NFC South showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One element of the game that will need to fall the Saints’ way in order for that to happen will be keeping their passing game going. The team has found some success in this area, albeit up and down, since landing its 87-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed against the New York Giants weeks ago.
Next Gen Stats provides some optimism for Rattler and the Saints to find success through the air.
Per the analytics site, Rattler has averaged just 5.5 passing yards per attempt from a clean pocket (second-lowest among qualifying passers). However, the Buccaneers defense has surrendered 8.3 yards per attempt when not generating pressure, fourth-most in the league.
This could help to open up the passing game, as Rattler has been a top-10 passer when under pressure while struggling when clean.
The roadblock is that Tampa generates pressure at a high clip. Per Next Gen Stats, the defense has achieved a 41.4% pressure rate this season. That makes the Buccaneers No. 2 in the league in generating pressure.
It seems likely that Rattler will have to both continue finding ways to produce under pressure and take advantage of what’s available when not pressured. Typically, pressuring a quarterback could require blitzing, which the Bucs do at a high rate. When those blitzers are engaged in the pass rusher, if the protection can hold up without starting center Erik McCoy, that’s one less defender in coverage.
If the Saints can keep Rattler clean, he may have a chance to lead the team’s passing game to a surprising level of competitiveness on Sunday afternoon.
