By Ross Jackson
It was a rough loss for the New Orleans Saints in their Week 4 battle with the Atlanta Falcons. While the game will be recalled for the Saints’ self-inflicted wounds and costly errors, there were some top performers who deserve some praise. Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus Grades from this week’s Saints matchup:
Top 5
DE Payton Turner – 90.3
WR Chris Olave – 86.2
QB Derek Carr – 85.0
DE Carl Granderson – 81.2
CB Marshon Lattimore – 79.6
Turner earns the top spot this week. He had the most impactful play when he got to Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Atlanta. It was the team’s only sack on the day and Turner had just 10 pass rushing snap.
To no one’s surprise, Olave is the highest-graded offensive player. He caught eight of his 10 targets for 87 receiving yards, converting several big first downs. He and Carr look to be in rhythm these last few weeks. The wideout also gained 38 yards after catch and did all of it while battling a hamstring injury.
Carr’s game regrettably be remembered for a fluke of a pick-six rather than his late-game drive to retake the lead with one minute to go in the game. That is the unfortunate truth of life as an NFL quarterback. Carr, who again completed more than 77 percent of his passes, put up two big time throws with no turnover worthy throws.
Granderson led all defenders in this game, regardless of team, with four pressures. He also had a diving attempt at a pass breakup that he did not get credit for on the box score and grades. Granderson’s effort was among the most consistent in the team.
Typically teams don’t try to throw at Lattimore very often. That was not the case this weekend. The Pro Bowl corner was targeted five times by Cousins. He is credited with allowing three receptions for just 24 receiving yards with a long of 13. He also added a pass breakup and surrendered an opposing passer rating of 72.1.
Bottom 5
S Jordan Howden – 50.9
DL Khalen Saunders – 49.7
S Will Harris Jr. – 46.8
DT Bryan Bresee – 46.7
CB Paulson Adebo – 37.5
Each of the bottom-five players come from the Saints’ defense. Most notably starting cornerback Paulson Adebo who earned the lowest grade. He was targeted a whopping 13 times allowing seven catches for 120 receiving yards. His interception, the only takeaway of the Saints’ defense, wasn’t enough to combat the three penalties for which he was whistled. That included the 30-yard defensive pass interference call (the only accepted penalty of the three) that set up Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo for his 58-yard game winner.
Two surprise omissions from the top spots were running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Taysom Hill, who got off to a fast start with two touchdown rushes before leaving with injury. Kamara finished with the No. 6 highest grade of 78.6 after his stellar performance. Hill received a 68.0 grade, which undoubtedly is far too low for his multi-score contributions.
