For the first time since Week 2, the New Orleans Saints play on the road when they travel to take on the New York Giants this Sunday. The Saints come in reeling with a 1-4 record after losing three straight in their own building. They'll hope to get right against the Giants, who are a surprising 3-1-1 and an undefeated 3-0 at home.
New Orleans has looked nothing like the defense that ranked fourth against the pass in 2025. Their ineptitude against the run have been well documented, but the Saints have done little to slow opponents through the air. They'll now face a familiar foe in former New Orleans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who takes over after a season-ending injury to Jaxon Dart. Which Jameis will the Saints see,
and will they be able to force critical mistakes? We take a look at that matchup now.
Giants passing game
- 199.2 yards per game (20th)
- 61.4% completion percentage
- 9 touchdowns (11th)
- 3 interceptions (12th)
- 13 sacks
Since taking over for an injured Dart in Week 2, Winston has a 57.6% completion percentage with 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. He's thrown for 250 and 326 yards in the last two weeks. The mercurial Winston is what he's always been; a big-play threat for either side. He's capable of breaking the back of a defense with a huge throw but just as capable of breaking his own team's back with a critical turnover. New York's offensive line is a better run blocking unit than pass protectors. Winston also has a tendency to hold the ball longer, leading to some unnecessary sacks.
Winston doesn't have a lot of receiving depth but has a few very talented targets. Former LSU star and sixth overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft Malik Nabors is the most talented of the group. After 109 receptions and 1,204 yards as a rookie, Nabors missed most of 2025 with injury. He looks fully recovered now, catching 29 of 46 targets so far for 329 yards. Nabors runs precise routes, but also has the speed to be a threat anywhere on the field.
Former Atlanta Falcons wideout Darnell Mooney has been a solid number two. Mooney has just 8 receptions so far for 109 yards, but is a solid deep threat and dangerous runner after the catch. Rookie Malachi Fields, a third round pick, has 10 catches for 146 yards with 7 of those going for first downs. Fields is a raw prospect, but one with an excellent combination of size, speed, and hands. The Giants don't have much depth here and don't use their backs often as pass catchers. However, Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are both capable receivers. Skattebo has caught 10 balls for 79 yards, while Tracy and Devin Singletary have a combined 6 catches and 46 yards. Each are viable check-down or screen options in the open field.
Leading the Giants in receptions is tight end Isaiah Likely. An athletic mismatch, Likely has 33 catches for 284 yards and a team-best 4 touchdowns. While Nabors is the featured weapon, Likely's 48 targets lead the team currently. He could be a major problem for a Saints defense that has been pathetic against opposing tight ends.
Saints pass defense
- 212.2 yards per game (11th)
- 70.6% completion percentage
- 8 touchdowns (19th)
- 1 interception (28th)
- 10 sacks
- 25 QB hits
Linebacker Kaden Elliss will miss his third straight outing with a calf injury. This robs the Saints of their best coverage linebacker and tackler, along with a disruptive blitzer. Danny Stutsman and Pete Werner are capable of adding some pressure if used on blitzes, but asking them to cover Likely will be a sure disaster. Isaiah Stalbird caused havoc when used as a blitzer in 2025, but the athletic linebacker and former college safety has yet to see a defensive snap this season.
Covering Malik Nabors or even Darnell Mooney man-to-man is a tough ask, but Brandon Staley's ridiculously passive off-ball coverage has allowed an easy pitch-and-catch for opposing quarterbacks. Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley are better than they've been utilized in this system. Safeties Julian Blackmon and Justin Reid are capable of big plays also, but have produced few. The entire secondary has a lowly 7 passes broken up collectively, with Blackmon recording the team's only interception. A key matchup on the day should be Jonas Sanker on Likely. Sanker had a fumble return for a touchdown against Minnesota, but has generally been a disappointment in coverage responsibilities.
Defensive linemen Nathan Shepherd and Vernon Broughton each missed last week with illnesses. Both are expected to play today, which may be crucial for a defensive line that has no depth. Rookie defensive tackle Christen Miller also needs to produce more pressure. Only Khristian Boyd has been able to get a small amount of disruption for the New Orleans interior. Legendary veteran Cameron Jordan has been used more often in his natural position as a down lineman. However, Jordan has looked nothing like the future Hall of Famer he likely is through five games. The Saints desperately need something from this group to not only pressure Winston, but silence the New York running game.
Carl Granderson had his first significant impact of 2026 with 1.5 sacks against the Vikings last Sunday. New Orleans needs a repeat performance against two Giants tackles that have been banged up. Chase Young has been the unquestioned star of a struggling defense so far. Young has 4 sacks and 9 pressures despite constant double and triple team blocking. He and Granderson must create pressure off the edge, possibly freeing up a blitzer on the inside to put in Winston's face to force hurried throws. This, along with some actual challenge from New Orleans coverage to take away easy throws, could result in some critical turnovers against a quarterback prone to such errors.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints pass defense in critical against a familiar quarterback
