The Saints’ defense will be out to prove everyone wrong this Sunday as they prepare to take on Jameis Winston and the New York Giants’ offense.
The Giants are without starting quarterback Jaxson Dart due to a season-ending knee injury. Even without Dart, the Giants still have some weapons they will look to feature against a defense that presents several favorable matchups.
This is not a very explosive offense. The Giants currently rank 21st in total offense, averaging 308 yards per game, while the
Saints allow 362 yards per game, which ranks 26th in the league.
The Giants are averaging only 199 passing yards per game, ranking 20th, and 109 rushing yards per game, ranking 16th.
The Saints’ passing defense comes in ranked 13th overall, allowing 212 yards per game, but their rushing defense is a putrid 31st, allowing 150 yards per game.
This is a game where the Giants will more than likely look to feature Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo has not really been able to get the ground game going. His best rushing performance so far came in Week 1 against the Cowboys, when he carried the ball 18 times for 81 yards and one touchdown.
This matchup against the Giants feels very similar to the Vikings game. It’s another team with offensive struggles, and those struggles fall directly into the areas where the Saints’ defense has struggled.
The obvious answer would be that the Saints need to stop the run and force the Giants to pass the ball. They need to get New York into obvious passing situations by keeping the offense off schedule.
The only issue with that is the Giants still have Malik Nabers as their primary wide receiver. If New York looks to get Nabers involved early and often, that could create problems for this Saints secondary.
Saying that this Saints defense is struggling would be a massive understatement. They have moments when they look good and moments when they are absolutely horrible.
In a game like this, the Saints will need to force Jameis Winston to be the guy who beats them. And if Jameis is on his game, that creates an even bigger problem for the defense.
Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will look to establish the run to set up the rest of his offensive philosophy, which features more of a West Coast-style passing attack.
The Saints will have to do something they have not been able to do consistently all season, and that is stop the run.
Keep the Giants behind the chains, and don’t let Nagy get rolling by implementing the quick passing game on top of an efficient, on-schedule rushing attack.
The Saints will also have to find a way to generate pressure.
The Giants have allowed 13 sacks so far this season and have thrown three interceptions. Meanwhile, the Saints have recorded 10 sacks and only one interception, but they have recovered four fumbles.
Right now, the Giants are 3-1-1, and looking at their statistics, you can tell they have won a lot of ugly games. But at this point, Who Dat Nation would gladly swap situations with the Giants.
The Saints are going to have to step up on Sunday and create some offense for themselves by forcing turnovers in this road matchup.
This game should be a fun one to watch, especially considering what Mrs. Benson had to say a few days ago.
The defense needs to come out, establish its aggressiveness, and shut down the Giants’ offense on the very first drive.
What do you think about the Saints’ defense matching up against the Giants’ offense? Do you think one team has an advantage, and if so, what is it?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
