The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers don’t have much in common, but their defenses are both coming off high-sack performances:
The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers are in two different places in many major categories. One’s headed to the playoffs, the other is headed to the couch. It’s safe to say they don’t share many similarities, but there is one thing that is similar coming into the game. Each team is coming off of a monster sack performance.
The Saints brought down the elusive Jayden Daniels on eight different occasions. Bryan Bresee, the Saints best pass rusher this year, surprisingly didn’t get in on the action. Chase Young and Cameron Jordan led the charge. Those two have come along recently
The Packers terrorized Geno Smith and Sam Howell last Sunday. Green Bay sacked the Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks seven times..
The Saints pass rush hasn’t been great this season, but that strong performance versus the Washington Commanders places them just outside of the top ten. Green Bay big game seats them just inside the ten highest sack totals in the NFL.
Each team is looking for a repeat performance from their productive pass rush, and that would go a long ways towards a win for whoever accomplishes the feat.
Do the New Orleans Saints need more help on the defensive interior or out on the edge? PFF debated what’s best for them in the 2025 draft:
The New Orleans Saints have a lot of needs to address in the 2025 NFL draft, and the defensive line might be chief among them if Spencer Rattler can make some plays at quarterback down the stretch.
Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker completed an exercise where he pondered two popular draft selections for each team in the league. For the Saints, those two players were Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Nic Scourton and Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
“The Saints rank 20th in defensive EPA per play and have a boatload of free agents set to hit the open market along the defensive line. New Orleans will desperately need more from that unit next year, so it’s hard to go wrong with either of these options,” said Locker.
The decision basically depends on which ground needs more help for next season.
Scourton would be a much-needed boon to the pass rush. He had more success in the Big Ten than the SEC, but still had 17 sacks during his career. He projects as a solid player that should be better against the pass.
The Aggies product already boasts a solid pass rush set. Given that a defensive tackle leads New Orleans in sacks, they can certainly use a boost off the edge. Carl Granderson has regressed a little bit and Chase Young hasn’t been much of an improvement.
In a surprising turn of events, though, the Saints run defense has fallen off the edge too. Bryan Bresee has become a great pass rusher, but is a long way from solid against the run. Adding another stopper up the middle could be the perfect pair with him.
That’s exactly what Grant would be. Don’t ask him to get to the passer, but he doesn’t let much by him on the ground. He is a massive presence and recent All-American.
A drop in production from Scourton this year could scare New Orleans from potentially falling into the same trap of athletic defensive linemen. Grant is a lower-risk prospect and would immediately improve their line.
The move to Brian Young as Saints defensive line coach has produced an uptick in Bryan Bresee, Cameron Jordan and Chase Young’s performance:
The changes at head coach and defensive line coach have been the most impactful changes of the New Orleans Saints’ season.
Switching from Dennis Allen to Darren Rizzi gave the team a needed shift in mentality and energy. One of the biggest moves Rizzi made was making the shift from Todd Grantham to Brian Young as the defensive line coach.
Since Young has taken over, the stars of the unit have blossomed in the pass rush. 10 sacks are in reach for Bryan Bresee. Cameron Jordan is making plays again. Chase Young is putting together consistent performances.
We look at the last two games, but you can trace the bump in consistency to the moment Brian Young took over, and Jordan and Chase Young have been the biggest benefactors.
Chase Young had sacks in back to back games after the coaching switch, only time this year. He later delivered a multi-sack game as well. Jordan’s first sack of the season came in Brian Young’s first game as defensive line coach.
While this may all feel coincidental, Jordan credited the coaching change for the Saints’ strong performance on the defensive line. This came on the heels of sacking Jayden Daniels eight times.
It’s not a coincidence. The Saints just have the right man leading the unit.
An uptick in performance and diversifying his pass rush arsenal shows Chase Young is starting to put it together in New Orleans:
Chase Young was a huge addition for the New Orleans Saints in free agency. When he was signed, Young was looked at as the piece to take the Saints pass rush over the top.
That didn’t happen, and fans became critical of Young early in the season. When expectations are high, patience is low.
Over the last two weeks, however, Young has begun to put it together. He recorded a career-high 10 pressures against the New York Giants. Young, then, followed that up with two sacks against his former team, the Washington Commanders.
This was Young’s first multi-sack game since Week 7 of 2023. It was also an example of the defensive end finishing. He ranks high in the NFL in quarterback pressures, and in this game he was able to convert his pressures into sacks.
Joe Woods praised Young for diversifying his pass rush move set, as well. This has all been a part of the development of Young through the season. The manifestation of that is arguably his two best performances in a Saints jersey over the last two games. Soon the question will be whether the Saints can re-sign him so he can keep playing at a high level in black and gold.
In just the first half, Saints have recorded their most sacks in a game this season vs. the Commanders and rookie QB Jayden Daniels:
It’s only the first half, but the New Orleans Saints have already recorded five sacks. That’s more than New Orleans has recorded in an entire game this year. To make it more impressive, they are doing this against the elusive Jayden Daniels
Ugo Amadi, Demario Davis, Willie Gay, Cameron Jordan, and Chase Young all recorded a sack in the first 30 minutes.
Containing Washington Commanders was a point of emphasis for the New Orleans Saints. Joe Woods told reporters this week that “We’re going to have different ways to control him and keep him in the pocket.”
There have been a few plays Daniels has used his legs to extend a play, but the Saints have done a better job than expected against him. You have to tip your hat to the secondary as well, because some of these sacks have been a product of Daniels having nowhere to go.
The Saints are set to take on the Washington Commanders this week, here are three reasons for optimism heading into this matchup
The New Orleans Saints are back for another week of football, and this week they have a tough matchup with the 8-5 Washington Commanders, who have been performing well above their 2023 standard for most of the season. This will be a difficult one for the Saints without Derek Carr, and with Jake Haener making his first NFL start.
With that said, there are some positives heading into this matchup and a few ways that the Saints match up well with the Commanders logistically. Despite injuries and a tough 5-8 season so far through Week 14, the Saints have held on to remain in the playoff race for now, with a chance at a division title still being clung to.
Here are three reasons for optimism on the Saints side heading into this game:
Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) looks up at fans before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The pass rush unit has finally begun to generate pressure
The Saints’ pass rush unit has been very hit or miss throughout the season, however last week we got to see one of their better performances overall. Against the New York Giants they had 37 pressures on 60 snaps, 2 sacks, and 5 batted balls on the defensive line. This was a strong performance from the front seven, and one they will hope to replicate this week against the Commanders. Against the Tennessee Titans, the Commanders only allowed 6 total pressures on the game which allowed Jayden Daniels to be remarkably efficient. If the Saints can get pressure through the opposing offensive line and generate some ill-advised throws, it may help make up for the slightly struggling secondary.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 08: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Commanders’ run defense has been lackluster in 2024
So far in the 2024 season, the Commanders have allowed the 6th most rushing yards (1,781), tied for the fourth highest allowed yards per carry (4.8), tied for the fifth most 20-plus yard rushing plays allowed (12), and are tied for the ninth most rushing first downs allowed as well (96).
The Saints have a prominent run game featuring Alvin Kamara of course, but also a resurgent Kendre Miller and the power rush of Jamaal Williams to get the ball over the line in short-yardage situations. With Carr out of the game and Haener in, the run game will likely be featured more than ever, and if the Saints can maintain possession long enough to keep the ball away from Washington, they may give themselves a decent chance at keeping this close or even winning.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Dante Pettis #17 of the New Orleans Saints during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Commanders punting game could give up some optimal field position
The Commanders have not been a heavy punting team by any metric, punting the second lowest amount of times this season with only 37 tries. However, they have also not been supremely effective at it either, as they are tied for the 5th fewest punts inside the 20 yard line (16) and the 8th lowest average yards per punt (46.5). The Saints on the other side have the 7th most punt return yards on the season (265), a punt return touchdown, are tied for fourth in 20-plus yard returns (3), and have the most 40+ yard returns with the same 3. Field position is going to be exceptionally critical for both teams, but especially the Saints who have been having an enormously difficult time on offense. Good field position + running the ball effectively = scoring chances. That is their way to keeping up in this game.
It’s unlikely Young will get 10 pressures again this season, so that shouldn’t be looked at as the bar. However, Young will have a much more difficult time getting to Jayden Daniels compared to Drew Lock.
Daniels is more dynamic with his legs, but the road block for Young starts at the front line. Washington Commanders left tackle, Brandon Coleman, is one of the best pass-blocking offensive linemen in the NFL.
Week 15 will feature two players who are one of the best at what they do, and one of them has to break. Young is fourth in the NFL with a 17% pressure rate. That puts him up there with all-stars like Myles Garrett. Coleman has a pressure rate allowed of less than 8%, which is 10th-best in the league. Young must be on top of his game if he’s going to make as big an impact as we saw last week.
The New Orleans Saints were linked to an elite athlete at defensive end from an SEC powerhouse in the latest ESPN mock draft:
The New Orleans Saints have plenty of holes that need to be filled this offseason, but the defensive line stands out as one of the biggest.
Despite the Saints pouring countless assets into the defensive line, they are still among the weakest teams in the NFL at getting to the quarterback.
To help fill this void, ESPN analyst Field Yates had New Orleans select Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Mykel Williams with the No. 10 overall selection in his latest mock draft.
Here is what Yates had to say about the selection:
“The SEC championship game was a great chance to see why Williams is such a tantalizing prospect. He notched two sacks in an overtime win against Texas, giving him five on the season. Williams is as impressive physically as any player in the class, as he has rare length and fluidity for the edge position. His ability to bend the edge and generate pressure makes him a potential Pro Bowl-level pass rusher in the NFL, particularly when he is asked to pin his ears back and rush more than he has for a deep Georgia front.
The Saints need the help, ranking 28th in pass rush win rate (35.0%). Cameron Jordan will be 36 next season, and Chase Young is signed for only this season.”
Williams is the quintessential early draft Saints pass rusher. He is very large and athletic, but has not been very productive in his college career.
The junior has 14 sacks over three seasons with 23 total tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.
While it makes sense for New Orleans to draft a pass-rusher, and Williams is an exciting athlete, it would hurt to see them fall back into this trap once again. They clearly have not been able to develop this type of player in the past, so it may be time to try something new.
Saints vs. Commanders is a double revenge game for Marshon Lattimore and Chase Young. Either player can get a win against the team that drafted him:
All eyes are on Marshon Lattimore ahead of the New Orleans Saints versus Washington Commanders showdown. The game has been unofficially dubbed the “Marshon Lattimore Revenge Game.” Lattimore isn’t the only player in this game facing his former team. Chase Young gets a crack at his first team as well.
Lattimore understandably gets the majority of the attention. The cornerback was traded this year, is making his Commanders debut, and didn’t make a pitstop elsewhere. None these factors apply to Young
Let’s not forget the tension that seemed to stand between Lattimore and the team. Was that all Dennis Allen? We’ll never know, but Lattimore likely doesn’t need extra motivation.
Young will be facing the Commanders for a second time, likely another reason the story is less prevalent. Young is, however, looking for his first sack against Washington.
As a member of the 49ers, Young recorded only one tackle. He’ll be looking to improve on that performance this attempt.
When the Saints and Commanders last faced off, Young and Lattimore still had their original jerseys on. Young had possibly the best game of his season before suffering a season-ending injury later that year. Lattimore had six pass deflections, that is still his career high.
Both men are looking for a repeat performance with different jerseys.
The New Orleans Saints held on for a 14-11 victory over the New York Giants in Week 14, and clearly, the defense had a lot to do with ensuring that win. Chase Young ended the matchup with 51 total snaps, 12 pressures per Pro Football Focus charting, a pass breakup, and an assisted tackle with no penalties.
For those who hold value towards PFF grades, Young had a 89.6 defensive grade, including a 75.0 pass rush grade and a 87.8 coverage grade funny enough. Overall, Young has been spectacular at rushing the passer this season, with 53 pressures and 5 sacks on the year, but this game was definitely an outlier as he managed to really ramp up his pressure on the opposing QB Drew Lock.
This was noticeable all day long, as Lock was having an extremely difficult time getting the ball out on time and delivering accurate passes. A strong performance for Young, and hopefully a sign of things to come in the remaining games for the 2024 season.
