Tyler Shough’s OROTY bid could be cemented vs. Falcons

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

ATLANTA, Ga. – A lot of what New Orleans Saints fans have to cheer for as the season comes to a close on Sunday all centers around rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. From the surprise retirement of Derek Carr, to an offseason quarterback battle and now a four-game win streak, Shough’s rookie year has been a thrilling and winding path.

In the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, Shough now has a chance to cement his shot at a crowning achievement: Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Against the Falcons in Week 18, Shough will take the field as the second-favorite to win the NFL honor after the season. He currently holds +350 odds on FanDuel, behind only Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (-500).

The rookie wide receiver capped off his season with a four-catch, 85-yard receiving performance in the Panthers’ Saturday loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams now await the results of the Saints and Falcons matchup to determine their playoff hopes.

While a loss to the Falcons helps the Saints in the long-term, saddling them with a last-place schedule in 2026 with all of the momentum they’ve built to close out this year. But it might be of detriment to the postseason award hopes many have for Shough.

The quarterback can aid his case for the recognition with a strong performance against the Falcons, and in particular would propel his case with a win over the bitter rivals. Shough will be without his top pass-catching option, wide receiver Chris Olave, who has been ruled out for Week 18 after undergoing a procedure to remove a blood clot found in his lung.

New Orleans is also down its starting center, left guard, three of its running backs and several wide receivers due to roster moves and injuries, as well as three of its tight ends.

As if that wasn’t enough, Atlanta has finally developed a pass rush, which can have a magnified effect on an already beat up offensive line. The Falcons sit with 53 sacks on the season and have generated the league’s No. 10 pressure percentage at 35.3%, converting sacks on those pressures at a league-leading 25.7%.

That’s sure to make Shough’s day challenging, as he has been sacked at the second-highest rate in the NFL, on 27.3% of pressures, behind only Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (28.4%), per Next Gen Stats.

It won’t be the most advantageous matchup for Shough and the Saints’ offense. But if the quarterback finds a way to shine, win or lose, he could further himself in the conversation for the league’s most coveted rookie award. The chips are more than certainly stacked against the young passer, but he’s performed in similar, hostile situations before.