In a matchup between teams that are close to the bottom of their respective conference, the 4-10 New Orleans Saints will host the 3-11 New York Jets on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome. Although close in record,
the teams could not be entering this weekend’s game under circumstances further in difference.
The Jets head into this contest on the heels of two straight blowout losses against the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. New Orleans carries a back-to-back win streak into the latter of a two-game home stand. They defeated division foes Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers.
New York has the 29th-ranked offense in the league, averaging just 275.5 yards and 19.7 points per game. The Saints have a near top-ten defense in the NFL. They allow an average of just over 311 yards and just under 24 points per contest, good for the 11th-best mark.
Although Justin Fields leads the Jets in passing yards this year with 1,259, he’s only managed to play in nine games thus far. Injuries have plagued both he and backup Tyrod Taylor, leaving New York’s starting quarterback for Sunday’s game in question after both missed last week. Fields has tossed seven touchdowns and just one interception this season.
Tailback Breece Hall has been one of the lone bright spots for the Jets this year. He’s already rushed for 900 yards and three TDs. He’s also third in receiving on the team with 323 yards, just behind wideout Garrett Wilson (395) and rookie tight end Mason Taylor (369).
Defensively, Demario Davis leads all Saints’ players with 123 tackles. He sits in eighth place across the NFL in the category, slotted one mark below the Jets’ Jamien Sherwood. Cameron Jordan has taken the sack lead in New Orleans with six and a half on the year. He sits just above fellow edge rusher Chase Young, who has six.
Kool-Aid McKinstry leads New Orleans with three interceptions, while Alontae Taylor follows with two. Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker, and Quincy Riley all have one apiece.
New Orleans’ defense should have a field day this weekend, especially if they wind up facing a third-string QB. Brandon Staley’s group has been playing like a top-five defense through the late part of the year, leaving many hopeful of good things to come next season.
