Five Things to Know: Saints at Giants

By Ross Jackson

While the New Orleans Saints (4-8) are down for the count in many eyes, they are intent on continuing to compete. This week, they’ll try to go 1-0 against the New York Giants (2-10) who are on an seven-game losing streak and are winless at home this year. 

Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:

1. Saints running back Alvin Kamara is 106 rushing yards away from his first career 1,000 rushing yard season.

Many outside of New Orleans are shocked when this number comes up. Kamara has never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, but with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak calling the shots, he’s on the verge of finally breaking through that barrier. The Giants have the No. 29 ranked run defense in the league going into Week 14 and have lost a major piece in the trenches with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence landing on Injured Reserve. The Giants have allowed five 100-yard rushers already this season including three since Week 8. Kamara should be able to take advantage of this opportunity. 

       2. Young offensive pieces should get a boosted showcase for New Orleans. 

It is never a positive to lose a player of Taysom Hill’s caliber. The Saints must find a way to navigate that loss through the rest of the season after he was moved to Injured Reserve with a severe knee injury on Friday. In doing so, New Orleans will rely on several young players. Expect contributions from players like second-year running back Kendre Miller, rookie tight end Dallin Holker and former UFL wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. to be called upon in increased roles on offense. Safeties Jordan Howden and Ugo Amadi along with cornerback Rico Payton are likely to be leaned on for special teams roles as well. 

         3. Drew Lock will start at quarterback for the Giants.

Last year, the Saints faced the Giants with quarterback Tommy DeVito under center. In the process, they piled on seven total sacks with three corralled by defensive tackle Tanoh Kpassagnon who is not expected to be activated in time for this game. This year, the Giants will turn to Lock against New Orleans. Lock is a much faster decision-maker than DeVito in the pocket. Those decisions aren’t always the best, but he does get the ball out with much more conviction. The Saints pass rush isn’t likely to have the resurgence it did against New York last year, but Lock could put the ball in harm’s way, allowing the Saints secondary to play more opportunistically. 

New Orleans has not forced a turnover in either of their last two games. That streak should come to an end at MetLife Stadium. 

          4. Giants’ rookie star is questionable going into the game.  

Giants star receiver and former LSU Tiger Malik Nabers is questionable for the matchup with New Orleans as he deals with a hip flexor injury. The ailment set in during Thursday’s practice and led to Nabers not participating on Friday. 

New Orleans is tied for the fourth-most 20+ yard passes surrendered and tied for the most 40+ yard passes given up in the league. Nabers was in line to take advantage of those numbers. Now, even if he does play, he may be hampered in the process. 

           5. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi makes his return to his home state New Jersey. 

A Bergen Catholic High School alum, Rizzi makes his return to New Jersey this weekend. He will get the chance to be less than 20 minutes away from his hometown and take the field as an NFL head coach. That’s a really cool story here and one that is sure to be an awe-inspiring moment for Rizzi as he takes the field. 

Showing that he can handle and manage the emotion of this moment will be important. He is auditioning for the full-time coaching role after all. However, he deserves to appreciate the moments that will otherwise feel fleeting throughout this unique experience.