matchup – Syndication Server

Saints’ run defense has a daunting challenge ahead in Green Bay

Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s third-leading rusher, faces the Saints, the sixth-worst run defense, on Monday. Advantage: Packers

The Green Bay Packers have the ability to exploit the New Orleans Saints in their weakest area defensively: the run defense. The defensive line has been praised for their improvements since moving to Brian Young as the position coach, but those improvements are in the pass rush department.

New Orleans has the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL. They did a better job against Brian Robinson, but the degree of difficulty rises on Monday.

New Orleans will have to take on the task of stopping Josh Jacobs on Monday night. The temperatures are expected to be below freezing when the Saints step onto Lambeau Field.

Northerners will call that football weather. That’s up for debate, but you can expect the Packers to come out running the football.

Jacobs is the third-leading rusher in the NFL, behind only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. In addition to ranking third in rushing yards, Jacobs also has the third-most attempts and fourth-most rushing touchdowns in the league. The Packers use him frequently and efficiently. It’s vital that the Saints figure out how to slow him down. If he builds some momentum this one could get away from them in a hurry.

Giants coach Brian Daboll announces starting QB for Week 14 vs. Saints

Giants coach Brian Daboll announced his starting QB for Week 14 vs. Saints. Ironically, they already cut the only QB on the roster with a win against New Orleans:

There it is. New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Drew Lock, not Tommy DeVito, will be his starting quarterback for Week 14’s home game with the New Orleans Saints. DeVito has been dealing with a forearm injury and the Giants clearly feel a healthy Lock gives them a better chance to win.

But Lock won’t be the only backup starting for Big Blue. Daboll added that the starting offensive tackles will likely be Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard due to injuries. That’s a favorable matchup for the New Orleans defensive line.

Ironically, the Giants already cut the only QB on the roster with a win against the Saints: Daniel Jones, who led a fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime against them back in 2021. DeVito is 0-1 against New Orleans, but this will be Lock’s first start against the Black and Gold. Let’s see what he’s made of.

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New Orleans Saints still don’t know which QB they are facing vs. Giants

The New Orleans Saints are still awaiting clarity on which New York Giants quarterback will take the field this weekend — Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito:

The New Orleans Saints are still awaiting the New York Giants decision on which quarterback they will be playing during their Week 14 matchup.

It felt like a longtime coming, but the Giants finally moved on from Daniel Jones a couple of weeks ago. Since then, both Drew Lock and Tommy Devito got their chances to start games. The results were eerily similar as New York also lost both games. Lock mostly got the start due to DeVito dealing with a forearm injury. Neither quarterback should scare this Saints defense, but knowing who they are facing would certainly help a game plan.

If DeVito is healthy, he will probably get the nod. Still, both quarterbacks have their positives and negatives. Lock started last week and completed 66% of his passes this season for 178 yards and one interception. He also picked up 57 yards and a touchdown on four rushes. The former second-round pick is the much more experienced option, but has a clear ceiling on what the Giants are willing to do with him under center. They don’t dial up much deep for him, at least to much success.

DeVito’s one game this season was pretty much the same. He completed 68% of his passes for 189 yards, picking up 32 yards on the ground from seven carries. The Syracuse product is clearly the fan-favorite, and could bring a little more excitement to a home game, but also doesn’t have the same juice that he had when he took over last season.

New Orleans might prefer they start DeVito, as they were able to handle him last year in a 24-6 win.

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Week 13 is Alontae Taylor’s chance to make up for last year’s lowlight

Alontae Taylor was benched against the Rams last year. This is the Saints’ cornerback opportunity to replace that with a new memory:

When the New Orleans Saints go against the Los Angeles Rams, Alontae Taylor could look at this game as an opportunity for redemption.

The Saints took on the Rams last year, and it wasn’t a good game for Taylor. Dennis Allen benched Taylor in the “Thursday Night Football” contest after he was at fault on too many big gains.

That game may have taken place last season, but those types of moments don’t just fade from memory. We also know it’s a moment that Taylor carried with him into this season. It was last year’s contest against the Rams the cornerback referenced when speaking on the desire to show the prime time lights aren’t too bright.

If Taylor wanted redemption on primetime games in general, it wouldn’t be far fetched to assume he may also be looking for redemption against the Rams specifically.

Taylor will be aligned at outside cornerback opposed to in the slot. While his alignment has changed, that’s no reason for the motivation to subside.

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Week 3’s Saints-Rams game puts two rookies into a pivotal matchup

Not many could have predicted how immediately productive Taliese Fuaga and Jared Verse would be, and now the two rookies face off in Week 13:

Last time we saw Taliese Fuaga, he was busy keeping the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, off the stat sheet. After the bye week, Fuaga gets to face fellow rookie Jared Verse. Verse isn’t anywhere near the household name Garrett is, but he’s played well

We previewed the matchup going into the season, but we couldn’t have predicted how well these players would have performed in their first season in NFL.

We circled the matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams rookies because it’s the only game Fuaga has against a first round edge rusher. Toss the rookie statuses out the window, and the game should still be anticipated.

Fuaga has the lowest pressure rate allowed by a rookie. In comparison, Verse has more pressures than any rookie. Let’s dive deeper. He is already warranting double teams. That hasn’t stopped Verse, however. His six pressures while being doubled are third highest among all pass rushers.

In this matchup, Fuaga will have to make sure his base is strong. Verse is a powerful rusher who does a good job converting speed to power in his pass rushes. Verse does a good job of knocking linemen backwards. A strong anchor and good hands will be imperative to Fuaga winning this powerful rookie showdown.

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Taliese Fuaga is about to face the biggest challenge of his rookie season

Myles Garrett will line up in front of Taliese Fuaga the majority of this week’s game, making this the toughest challenge of Fuaga’s rookie season:

The main storyline when the New Orleans Saints take on the Cleveland Browns is the return of Jameis Winston to New Orleans. The biggest matchup, however, will be Taliese Fuaga versus Myles Garrett. Derek Carr will thank him if Fuaga is able to rise to the occasion.

This is the most difficult challenge Fuaga has had to face in his rookie season so far. Garrett is the reigning, defending Defensive Player of the Year and has made 1st team All-Pro three times. Simply put, Myles Garrett is in on the short list of best pass rushers in the NFL.

Fuaga faced another one of those players earlier this season, Micah Parsons. The difference between those games is the amount the rookie will see each player. Parsons plays on both sides of the defensive line. Against the Saints, his snaps were split almost evenly.

Garrett aligns primarily over the left tackle. He has played 82.5% of his snaps on that side of the defensive line. If the Browns stay consistent with his alignment, and they probably will, Fuaga will face him nearly every play. On obvious passing downs, you can almost guarantee Garrett is coming from that side.

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Steelers-Commanders matchups to watch: Joey Porter Jr. vs Terry McLaurin

CB Joey Porter Jr. faces WR Terry McLaurin in a key Week 10 positional matchup as the Steelers take on the Commanders in a pivotal showdown.

One of the premier matchups heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 10 contest versus the Commanders is none other than Pittsburgh’s young shutdown CB Joey Porter Jr., taking on Washington’s elite WR Terry McLaurin.

JPJ has had an up-and-down start to the 2024 season, to say the least. Through eight games, Porter Jr. has allowed 20 receptions on 32 targets. According to PFF, he is also allowing 11.7 yards per reception, which ranks 75th out of 205 eligible cornerbacks. However, in his past two performances, JPJ has allowed an impressively small 25 yards combined in Weeks 7 and 8 against strong wide receiver units.

‘Scary’ Terry appears to be on the verge of a breakout 2024 campaign, hauling in six touchdowns, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL, and 598 receiving yards on 42 receptions. With an average of 14.2 yards per reception, McLaurin looks to be a major threat in Week 10’s contest.

Can the second-year CB lock down McLaurin in Week 10? Or will McLaurin exploit Porter Jr.’s over-reliance on physicality?

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Wisconsin leads Iowa in a key statistic that often decides the Heartland Trophy

Games in the storied rivalry between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes are often defined by toughness, running the football and field position.

It’s no grand proclamation to say that the winner of Saturday’s matchup between the two teams will be the one that dominates the trenches and controls the game. Any fan of the sport can recognize that.

But there is one other stat that has decided every Wisconsin vs. Iowa game over the last four years — one that also points to a Badger victory in the 2024 edition.

That stat: punting average.

The team with the higher-ranked punter has won every matchup since 2019 — when Wisconsin won 24-22 despite P Anthony Lotti ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten with 39.7 yards per punt.

If the parameters are not clear, here is the result of the last four meetings in the rivalry, paired with where each team’s punter ranks in the Big Ten in season-long punting average:

2020: Iowa 28-7 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor had a season-long average of 44.1 yards per punt (3rd in Big Ten), while Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich had a mark of 41.7 (10th in Big Ten)
2021: Wisconsin 27-7 win. Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich at 46.4 (2nd in Big Ten), with Iowa P Tory Taylor at 46.1 (4th in Big Ten)
2022: Iowa 24-10 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor at 45.4 yards per punt (2nd in Big Ten), with Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich at 43.9 (9th in Big Ten)
2023: Iowa 15-6 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor at 48.2 (1st in the Big Ten), with Wisconsin P Atticus Bertrams at 41.3 (13th in the Big Ten)

The winner of every meeting, as shown, has boasted the punter with the greater season-long punting average. Iowa great Tory Taylor tipped these scales with his All-American-caliber play, which coincided with the Hawkeyes winning three of four meetings.

Entering the 2024 matchup, the Badgers have this trend going in their direction. P Atticus Bertrams enters Saturday with a season-long punting average of 46.3 (4th in the Big Ten). Iowa P Rhys Dakin, meanwhile, is down at 44.8 (7th in the Big Ten).

There are better ways to evaluate punters than by their average. Some combination of punts inside the 10 yard-line, punts inside the 20, punting net (yards-minus-returns) and overall average paint a better picture.

Regardless, this exercise should show that Bertrams and Dakin are at least close in overall production — a reality that Wisconsin could rarely boast during Taylor’s storied career.

If more evidence was needed on Bertrams’ current form, take it from Penn State coach James Franklin in his postgame press conference after a 28-13 win over the Badgers:

“Starting field position, that was the difference in the game, especially early on. That’s why it was so challenging. I think their punter is really good.”

Bertrams notched 257 total yards and a 51.4 average on five punts, plus took a fake punt for a 15-yard rush and a first down. He had a dominant evening, and was far from the reason the Badgers lost.

That form could give Wisconsin the punting advantage on Saturday, which is a key factor in what projects to be a hard-fought game decided by field position.

If trends are any indication, that advantage will lead to a victory.

For more on the upcoming matchup and the Badgers’ possible advantages, check out our ranking of the game’s biggest storylines and the Badgers’ updated two-deep depth chart entering the big matchup.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin vs. Penn State matchup highlights recent recruiting rivalry

A look at Penn State’s recent recruiting success in the state of Wisconsin, and vise versa:

Saturday’s primetime matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) carries significant weight in the Big Ten race.

Penn State currently sits in first place with an unblemished record, tied with No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten). Wisconsin, meanwhile, is one signature win away from entering the conference race. A win over Penn State would push the Badgers to 4-1 in Big Ten play, likely just one game back of Oregon and Indiana, depending on Saturday’s results.

Saturday’s game also sees the on-field battle between two programs who have gone head-to-head on the recruiting trail over the last half-decade. Wisconsin has some big recruiting wins over Penn State, highlighted by 2021 five-star OT Nolan Rucci (who has since transferred to Penn State) and 2024 four-star OT Kevin Heywood.

Those are the two most significant recent examples of Wisconsin entering the state of Pennsylvania and earning a commitment from one of its top recruits.

Penn State, on the other hand, boasts similar recent success recruiting in the state of Wisconsin. It has recently earned commitments from four-star TE Jerry Cross (No. 4 recruit from Wisconsin in class of 2022), four-star OT Garrett Sexton (No. 2 in class of 2024), four-star RB Corey Smith (No. 3 in class of 2024) and four-star iOL Donnie Harbour (No. 4 in class of 2024).

Context surrounding each of those commitments is unique. This is listed not to point to a large trend or project into the future. Rather, it is done to outline significant context entering the game. Wisconsin has had recent success recruiting in the state of Pennsylvania, while Penn State has had the same in Wisconsin.

None of Rucci, Heywood, Cross, Smith, Sexton or Harbour figure to play big roles in the outcome of Saturday’s game. Rucci and Heywood are the closest to the field — each enters as their respective team’s top backup at offensive tackle. Still, they all represent an added layer of the matchup’s importance.

That added importance exists because on-field head-to-head win will inevitably contribute to the recruiting pitch for whichever program finds a victory. Given recent history, that recruiting pitch is likely to be made in the opposing state.

Wisconsin is trending positively on the recruiting trail under Luke Fickell, highlighted by a program-best 2024 class. Marquee home victories against top-ranked opponents are what Fickell needs to push that recruiting output to the next level.

Penn State, on the other hand, is already at that recruiting level with perennial top-15 classes and a No. 11 overall ranking in the 247Sports team talent composite for 2024.

It’s tough to overemphasize what a win could mean for the future of the Badgers program under Fickell, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available via stream on Peacock.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Saints vs. Chargers may come down to this pivotal stat

With a pair of offensive linemen hopefully returning, the Saints’ ability to open up running lanes should improve. It has to if they’re going to end this losing streak.

One of the biggest flaws of the New Orleans Saints this season has been the struggles in the offensive line.

The Saints are middle of the pack in run blocking this year, currently possessing 16th best run block win rate. Both teams are going to prioritize the run offensively. The Los Angeles Chargers are really good at stopping the run.

Joey Bosa is dealing with an injury, but at best the Saints will still have to deal with Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree. As a team, the Chargers have the 8th best run stop win rate.

Lucas Patrick and Cesar Ruiz may return from injury this week for the Saints. That should help matters. Alvin Kamara started the season on fire, but injuries have made it difficult for Kamara to find running lanes.

Running the football is the identity of this team, and they’ve been unable to do it in recent games. It’s a big reason the offense has stalled out. This week they’re going against one of the best rush defenses in the league.

If trends continue, the Chargers will dominate the trenches which will greatly limit the Saints’ chances of victory.

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