Saints’ defense, rushing attack fall short in PFF grades vs. Rams

By Ross Jackson

After another disappointing loss on the season, the New Orleans Saints unsurprisingly did not grade out well in their 34-10 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In facing one of the NFL’s best teams, expectations weren’t exactly soaring as the now 1-8 Saints entered SoFi stadium. Even still, New Orleans managed to underwhelm with their third loss of at least 20 points this year.

As expected, Pro Football Focus was not flattering with their grading, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where the team struggled mightily.

Top-5:

S Justin Reid – 76.5

WR Rashid Shaheed – 75.2

WR Chris Olave – 73.1

LT Kelvin Banks Jr. – 73.0

C Luke Fortner – 72.7

Reid’s comment after the game further elevated him as the voice and leader the team needs as it endures this slippery slope of a start to the year. His play on the field in this one matched that charge, landing the highest grade on the team. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford only threw eight incomplete passes against the Saints’ defense, three of them were with Reid as the closest defender. He also notched a trio of defensive stops.

Wide receivers Olave and Shaheed have been the subject of many trade rumors. When rookie quarterback Tyler Shough wasn’t under duress (0/5 when under pressure), the two receivers were able to find a rhythm. The two receivers combined for three receptions of 20 or more yards among their combined eight catches on the day. Both were excellent at finding holes in the Rams’ zone coverage looks and worked well along with Shough when out of structure. The tandem also accounted for 125 of Shough’s 176 passing yards.

Per usual, the grades on the offensive line are confusing. Banks allowed a pair of pressures, no hits and no sacks while starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga allowed one pressure, no sacks and no hits, and somehow Banks graded out better. Meanwhile starting right guard Cesar Ruiz was credited with a sack, yet still graded out better as a pass blocker than Fuaga as well. The biggest takeaway from the grades, however, is that the team’s run blocking continues to be unsuccessful. 

Bottom-5:

CB Alontae Taylor – 39.2

RB Alvin Kamara – 40.4

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – 42.8

DT Bryan Bresee – 44.3

LB Pete Werner – 45.2

The Saints’ defense struggled against Stafford and the Rams and the grades reflect it. Taylor and McKinstry are credited (as the nearest defender) as allowing a combined 10 catches for 101 receiving yards and all four of Stafford’s passing touchdowns (two each). 

Meanwhile, Kamara was graded down for his lost fumble and low yardage output on just nine opportunities and seven touches. Kamara received only one snap after his third quarter fumble. It came on the fourth-and-four play that ended in an interception.