Saints’ Tyler Shough is NFL’s best 4th quarter passer

By Ross Jackson

As a starter, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is 5-3 since taking over in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. He has helped to supercharge the Saints’ current four-game win streak and has done so with a pair of come-from-behind victories. One against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and another last week against the Tennessee Titans.

Many elements have stood out about Shough’s game since taking over as the starting quarterback. He has been excellent on downfield passes and his poise and control of the offense are evident. However, it may be his fourth quarter passing reliability that has been most consequential.

Among all NFL starting quarterbacks with at least six game appearances, Shough’s 94.6 fourth-quarter passing yards per game leads the league.

Of that group of 41 passers, Shough is also No. 8 in completion percentage with a 67.4% rate.

When the game is coming down to its conclusion, Shough appears to operate at his best. That’s a great sign for his future at the position and a huge win for the Saints, who now feel like they are in games until the end in a way that has been absent in recent years.

New Orleans appears to have its future at quarterback and it’s not because of flashy plays and individual success (though both are present). New Orleans has promise at the position because of what Shough does to help the team win games. His play in the fourth quarter and comeback ability make that evident.