The New Orleans Saints (1-4) are entering an uncharacteristic must-win game against the New York Giants just six weeks into the season after owner Gayle Benson made sure her thoughts about the state of the team were heard loud and clear.
Head coach Kellen Moore and starting quarterback Tyler Shough shared their views to Benson’s remarks, and now will look ahead to the upcoming Week 6 showdown with the Giants.
Coming into the season the game may have favored the Saints winning. Now, the Giants have lost their starting quarterback in Jaxson Dart and top edge rusher in Brian Burns. As such, the passing game on both sides have been tilted in the Saints’ favor.
However, the unpredictability of backup quarterback Jameis Winston makes him hard to predict. He enters the game as a 2-0-1 starter for the Giants on the heels of back-to-back three-touchdown games, and the New Orleans defense will be hoping to curb that momentum. However, it’s the Saints’ passing offense that could be in place to make a big statement.
Shough and his top wide receiver Chris Olave have been on fire this season, even after a low-burning moment last week against the Minnesota Vikings. Olave still ranks No. 2 in the NFL with 537 receiving yards through the first five games.
The Saints’ run game hasn’t been consistently productive yet, meaning that the team will likely eventually turn to the air attack against the No. 7 passing defense in the league.
New York relies on a heavy dose of zone coverage on defense, mostly weighted to Cover 3, which include three deep defenders over the top with the middle of the field occupied by a safety.
It’s the coverage scheme that Shough has faced most often with 430 of his 1,299 yards, and 61 of his 205 attempts, taking place against that look. However, none of his passing touchdowns, and two of his interceptions, have come when throwing against the coverage, which is pervasive across the NFL.
Shough and Olave will have to find a way to take advantage of the space underneath that is usually available in the scheme, and find opportunities to attack the seams, which can become vulnerable.
Olave has been very efficient against the coverage, reeling in more receptions (12) and receiving yards (197) against the coverage than any other.
The space will be there, and the Saints can also maximize their plan of attack against other coverage looks the Giants will give throughout the matchup and try and take advantage of it.
If it’s another tough day for the run game, the passing attack will have to take over and produce in order for the Saints to walk away with a much-needed win after a much-maligned start to the season.
