A bitter NFL rivalry resumes on Monday night as the New Orleans Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams come into this showdown with 1-2 records in the first NFC South matchup of the year for the Saints. New Orleans is coming off a home loss last Sunday to the Raiders in their Superdome opener. The Falcons are coming off a win and a few extra days off after a road rout at the Green Bay Packers
.New Orleans has barely resembled the defense that came into the year with lofty expectations. They'll now take on a Falcons offense with an elite weapon in running back Bijan Robinson but major inconsistencies in their passing game. It's that aspect of this matchup where we focus now.
Atlanta Falcons passing game
- 167.3 yards per game (29th)
- 60.8% completion percentage
- 2 touchdowns (28th)
- 6 interceptions (31st)
- 7 sacks
After abysmal passing performances in their first two weeks
(288 total yards, 5 interceptions, 7 sacks), the Falcons turned back to 2024 first round choice Michael Penix against the Packers. Penix came through with perhaps the best outing of his career with 256 yards, a touchdown, and no picks. Then again, that bar is fairly low for Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's not been able to hold the starting role, though also struggling with injuries, with only 13 career starts and a 60% completion percentage, 13 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and less than 200 yards per game.
Penix does have three strong targets in Bijan Robinson, wideout Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. Robinson is one of the most productive receiving backs in the league. He's second on the team with 13 catches and 118 yards so far after a career-best receptions for 820 yards in 2025.
London was drafted three picks before the Saints selected Chris Olave in 2022. He's not nearly the receiver Olave is, but has been productive. Over his first four seasons, London averaged 77 catches and 990 yards per year. He's coming off a career-best 76.6 receiving yards per game in 2025 and had 194 receiving yards against the Packers. Outside of London, the Falcons have little at wide receiver. Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Zachariah Branch have a combined 11 catches for 79 yards so far. A third round choice in this springs draft, Branch is an explosive deep threat who's expected to become a bigger part of the attack.
Kyle Pitts is one of the most physically gifted tight ends in the NFL but is maddeningly inconsistent. In three games so far, Pitts has just 2 catches for 20 yards. He's certainly capable of more, proven by his 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie in 2021 and 88 catches for 928 yards last year. The three years in between, however, Pitts averaged only 43 receptions for 542 yards.
If Penix is kept somewhat clean, then Robinson, London, and Pitts are certainly a trio capable of torturing a defense. However, the Falcons line is more effective in run blocking than pass protection. Pressure has exposed Penix several times in his short career already.
New Orleans Saints pass defense
- 211.7 yards per game (16th)
- 67% completion percentage
- 6 touchdowns (23rd)
- 1 interception (21st)
- 7 sacks
- 20 QB hits
Over the first three games, this is a far cry from the Saints defense that ranked fourth against the pass in 2025. There's been little pressure on the passer aside from Chase Young, grotesque inability to cover tight ends, and infuriating amount of cushion on average wide receivers. Making matters even worse, leading tackler and defensive captain Kaden Elliss will miss this matchup with a calf injury. Being without Elliss also robs the team of a disruptive blitzer and decent coverage linebacker. Pete Werner (hamstring) also may not play, which should mean more snaps for Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird. Perhaps Stalbird can add a spark with his athleticism and ability to cause havoc when blitzing.
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has been one of the team's early season defensive stars. McKinstry has allowed only 50% completion percentage when targeted with a team-best 4 throws broken up while blossoming into a top-level corner. Fellow corner Quincy Riley has 2 passes broken up, the only other Saint to have more than one. Riley has surrendered a 40% completion rate but continues to give far too large a cushion to receivers in front of him. Martin Emerson returns from injury this week, allowing the Saints an option for an extra defensive back on Pitts.
Safety Julian Blackmon has the team's only interception in 2026. He and Justin Reid are a good duo on the back end but must make more game-changing plays for the defense. Second-year defensive back Jonas Sanker has struggled so far in replacing Alontae Taylor. Sanker is likely to assume coverage responsibilities on Pitts, especially when he lines up in the slot. While certainly not all on Sanker, the Saints have been completely helpless against opposing tight ends.
Chase Young has easily been the Saints defensive MVP so far. Young has 3.5 sacks, 6 pressures, and 5 QB hits to lead the team. He's the only player with more than 1 sack and is playing like the breakout star we saw to end last season. On the other side, Cam Jordan has forged a Hall of Fame career against the Falcons alone. The Saints need that kind of production from Jordan on Monday, though he's been quiet so far. Young and Jordan should be the primary disruptors, particularly with Carl Granderson and Anfernee Jennings out with injury.
Up front, New Orleans gets rookie second round choice Christen Miller back from injury at defensive tackle. He'll be in a down lineman rotation that includes Nathan Shepherd and Vernon Broughton (3 QB hits). Shepherd (1) and Broughton have mustered some pressure this season, but much more is needed with Granderson out and no other quality depth.
McKinstry and Riley should be able to keep London and the Atlanta wide receivers under wraps, though they must eliminate the large cushions that allow easy completions. The big test will be containing Pitts, something the Saints have yet to do against tight ends. A heavy rush on Penix will be vital, making Young and Jordan one of the biggest factors to this rivalry clash.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints pass defense must make the difference in Falcons showdown
