New Orleans Saints: Slot coverage
Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named NFC Offensive Player for the Month in a December where he completed 75.4% of his passes, averaged 8.6 yards per attempt, and threw 15 touchdowns to no interceptions. And it’s a good thing Brees has been this effective lately, because most of New Orleans’ pass defense has been a real problem of late. Aside from rookie Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who’s been very good both outside and in the slot, New Orleans’ coverage — especially its slot coverage — has been lacking. The primary problem there has been P.J. Williams, who’s allowed 15 receptions on 18 targets for 153 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 141.7 in the slot in December alone.
Acquiring former Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins was supposed to help, but Jenkins — who was excellent in coverage for his former team this season — appears to still be getting the hand of things in New Orleans. He’s allowed six slot catches on nine targets for 71 yards, a touchdown, and an opponent passer rating of 127.5. Gardner-Johnson has been the lockdown guy in the slot, allowing two catches on six targets for 18 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and an opponent passer rating of 2.8 — no, that’s not a typo. Outside of Gardner-Johnson’s efforts, there’s a whole lot of miscommunication and late movement from the slot, as seen on this Week 16 touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill to Tajae Sharpe, in which Jenkins (No. 20) gets beaten badly on the crossing route.
If this continues, Brees will have to keep up his torrid pace for the Saints to do anything in the playoffs.