Saints’ zone-heavy defense faces Josh Allen test

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints will have to get creative on defense Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. There have been some notable changes in the way New Orleans deploys its defense in 2025. From scheme and coverage to personnel and pressure strategies, the Saints’ defense looks almost unrecognizable from those of the organization’s recent past. 

One of those big changes, however, could be of detriment going up against Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Per Next Gen Stats, the Saints played zone coverage against the Seattle Seahawks in their 44-13 loss on 90.5% of their defensive snaps. That was the most in the NFL in Week 3.

New Orleans has ticked up their zone usage in each game this year, hovering over 75% in Week 1 and nearly 80% in Week 2.

The concern going into Week 4 is that Allen has been remarkable against zone coverage. Per Next Gen Stats, against zone coverage Allen has:

• Thrown for 495 of his 755 passing yards in 2025.
• Completed 74.5% of his attempts (No. 6 in the NFL against zone).
• Averaged 7.2 yards per attempt.

Going against Allen and the Bills is always going to be a task. But the Saints’ heavy usage of Cover 3, Cover 4 and Cover 6 coverages could put them in a precarious position unless their pass rush sees a boost in Orchard Park, N.Y. to help the defensive backs.