By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — After an eventful week, it’s finally time for the New Orleans Saints to suit up and play a game as their new-look selves. With a new head coach, new top cornerback and many changes to coaching roles, practice schedules and even locker room arrangements, the Saints are ready to take the field against their most bitter rivals, the Atlanta Falcons.
Here are five things you need to know before Sunday’s kickoff:
- The Saints will have a new head coach, Interim Darren Rizzi
After parting ways with former Head Coach Dennis Allen after two-and-a-half years, the Saints will have a new face calling the shots from the sidelines on Sunday. Former Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi will now assume the role. He’s already brought change to several elements of the coaching staff, practice week and roster.
It will truly be a new-look Saints team under Rizzi as he has made several changes all around the team.
2. Cornerback Alontae Taylor is looking to prove he can be the Saints top corner
One of those big changes will be Taylor lining up as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. With Marshon Latimore traded to the Washington Commanders, the third-year corner will now get the chance to earn the lead role at his more natural position. Opinions of Taylor are sky-high in the facility, and for good reason. He has been outstanding in press-man situations and is ready to prove that he deserves the opportunity ahead of him. That work will begin this weekend.
3. Yards after catch will play a huge role in this game
This game has an enormous yards after catch disparity on defense. Unfortunately for the Saints, they end up on the wrong side of the conversation.
Per Next Gen Stats, the Falcons defense is the only defense in the league to force a negative yards per catch over expected rate. Meaning they defend at the catch point better than any team in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Saints’ defense has surrendered the most yards after catch over expected. New Orleans will need to find a way to limit this in order to find success on Sunday.
4. The tackle tandem for New Orleans has played very well
The Saints got a good one in left tackle Taliese Fuaga. He had a rough game against the Denver Broncos a few weeks ago but he’s been solid outside of that game. Per Next Gen Stats, Fuaga’s 8.3% pressure rate allowed is No. 2 among qualified rookies. He’s been playing at a high level throughout his inaugural season despite his position switch upon his arrival to the pros.
Right tackle Trevor Penning has impressed as well. He’s reduced his pressure percentage by more than half since switching to the right side this season. That’s a huge improvement and massive indication of development for the young tackle.
Both are a testament to the success the Saints have found with the coaching of new offensive line coach John Benton.
5. Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen could return for his first game since Week 4
Andersen was a thorn in the side of New Orleans the last time these two teams met. He had a combined 16 tackles including a tackle for a loss, a pass defensed and a pick-6 that put the Falcons up 14-0 early in the Week 4 tilt.
The young linebacker suffered a knee injury during the game and has been working his way back from Injured Reserve ever since. After practicing full all week this week, it looks like Andersen will be making his return to the field in New Orleans, looking to finish what he started against the Saints in Atlanta.
