By Ross Jackson
It wasn’t the prettiest win for the New Orleans Saints, but it was a win. New Orleans improved to 5-8 on the season and 3-1 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi with their win over the New York Giants.
Here are some numbers that help tell the tale of an ugly but resilient victory:
1 – In an impressive display, Pro Football Focus credited the Saints’ run play defense with a single missed tackle. The team only allowed 2.9 rushing yards per attempt to opposing running backs.
2 – Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee captured the game-winning field goal block against the Giants. It’s the second game-sealing field goal block in the last four games under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. The first was registered by defensive tackle John Ridgeway III against the Atlanta Falcons.
3 – New Orleans had three defensive linemen finish with a better than 17% pressure rate in Week 14. Defensive end Chase Young achieved a 27.8% rate, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders notched 18.8% and defensive end Carl Granderson finished with 17.5%. Young’s total was the highest of Week 14 among defenders with at least 18 pass rush snaps.
6 – The Saints had their entire starting offensive line together for the first time since Week 3 and it showed. The unit may have struggled in the run game, but only surrenders 6 pressures in pass blocking, per Pro Football Focus.
8 – Depending on the severity of quarterback Derek Carr’s hand injury, the Saints could have their eighth starting quarterback since former signal caller Drew Brees retired. Should the Saints hand over the reins to second-year passer Jake Haener.
7.5 – Bresee is now tied for fifth all-time for most sacks in an single season by a New Orleans Saints defensive back. His 7.5 sacks matched La’Roi Glover (1997) and Nick Fairley (2016). His 7.5 sacks also leads the team so far this season.
10 – Young totaled 10 quarterback pressures against the Giants, tying his career high. He now has 61 pressures on the season, fourth-most in the NFL with Monday Night Football pending. Unfortunately, however, he does have the fewest sacks (3.5) of any player in the league with more than 40 pressures. Granderson has the second-fewest of that group with just 4.5.
13 – Negative plays were a big issue for the Saints’ stalling drives. Of the 16 plays in this game that lost yardage, the Saints committed 13 of them. These do include sacks but do not include plays in which penalties caused a loss.
58.3 – Cornerback Alontae Taylor played his best game since former perimeter corner starter Marshon Lattimore was traded. He allowed only two catches on six targets and forced a 58.3 passer rating when targeted.
105.7 – Over the last three games, Saints tight ends have contributed well in the passing game. They have gained an average of 105.7 receiving yards in those contests.
