Three matchups that will define Saints vs. Jets rebuilds

By Ross Jackson

The game between the 4-10 New Orleans Saints and 3-11 New York Jets may not be for playoff positioning or eligibility, but it is a game that carries implications for each team’s future. Both clubs are undergoing a rebuild, with the Saints’ process appearing to be on a faster track than the Jets. Both are trying to build momentum and establish a winning culture late in the season, however they are each also hampered by injuries.

This game could go a long way in proving two specific and important elements of the Saints’ identity: 

1. That the Black and Gold can beat teams they are expected to beat.
2. That their rookie quarterback can elevate role players into contributors.

In order to do so, the Saints will need to win these three matchups.

Saints WR Chris Olave vs. Jets’ cornerbacks

The Jets will be starting a slew of young players in their secondary. While fifth-year cornerback Brandon Stephens is the top cover corner, rookie Jordan Clark and former Canadian Football League player Qwan’tez Stiggers round out the group. The trick with covering Olave is that its no one player’s sole responsibility. One of the fourth-year wideout’s best traits is his ability to line up and run routes from anywhere.

During last week’s fourth quarter touchdown drive that tied up the game against the Carolina Panthers, Olave moved from slot to outside to the opposite side of the field constantly throughout the hurry-up process, making it challenging for the Carolina Panthers’ secondary to match up. Expect to see the same thing consistently throughout the game against the Jets, who run the fourth-highest rate of man coverage in the NFL (32.1%), per TruMedia.

With wideout Devaughn Vele out for the short remainder of the season and Mason Tipton managing illness, the passing game will be heavily focused on getting the ball to Olave. The Jets know it’s coming, which makes his matchup with the New York coverage group the most important matchup to the Saints’ hopes to find success on Sunday.

Saints DE Chase Young vs. Jets LT Olu Fashanu

Once a draft darling commonly connected to the Saints, Fashanu now lines up for this week’s enemy. But he’ll have a tough matchup in front of him with a surging Young across the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Young is just 1.5 sacks shy of his career-high of 7.5 in a season.

Young has wrangled at least a half-sack in six of his nine games since debuting against the New England Patriots in Week 6 of the season. He’s notched at least a full sack in five of those six games. Fashanu has allowed six sacks on the season having started all 14 games so far this year.

The former No. 2 overall pick is currently tied alongside Detroit Lions pass rusher Aiden Hutchinson for the league’s fifth-highest pressure percentage (17.6%) among defensive ends with at least seven game appearances, per Pro Football Focus. 

Saints QB Tyler Shough vs. injury luck

The Saints have been mostly healthy throughout the season, especially relative to their usual track record. However, late in the season this year, New Orleans has been struck forcefully with ailments, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

The Saints will have three backups on their starting offensive line, including a third-string options with right guard Cesar Ruiz and versatile lineman Asim Richards both ruled out for the game. The team will also be without its big-bodied pass-catching option, Vele, and its top three running backs.

Shough will be celebrated even more than he already has been if he can elevate the talent around him, as he’s proven he can do before. This game provides an excellent opportunity to prove his ability to maintain or even raise the standard of play despite costly injuries.