The New York Giants (3-1-1) and New Orleans Saints (1-4) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 6 matchup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Giants opened the week as 1-point home underdogs, and that's exactly where the spread remains as of this writing.
With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Saints Wire managing editor John Sigler.
New Orleans has allowed 30.2 points per game over five weeks. What's been the biggest problem with the defense—is it the scheme, missed tackles, breakdowns in coverage, or an inability to stop the run?
Sigler: A big part of the defense's struggles comes down to talent disparity. Untimely injuries and years of poor drafting caught up to them to a point where they've had to start street free agents at multiple positions. They're too slow to rally to the ball and can't contain the run. Their de facto CB1, Kool-Aid McKinstry, has been exposed as a poor scheme
fit for Brandon Staley's defense. They brought Kaden Elliss back in free agency to be a transformational presence at linebacker, and he was great in the first two weeks, but he's set to miss his third consecutive game with a calf injury.
How much has Tyler Shough progressed as a decision-maker, and what types of defensive looks or pressure packages have given him the most trouble?
Shough took some big steps forward, but he really struggled with the blitz package Brian Flores threw at him last week (just like every other QB has). A lot of the blame for that has gone to Kellen Moore's play calling; few teams attempt fewer screens or run play action at a lower rate than he does. The Saints have been leaving their backup left tackle, Asim Richards, on an island more often than any other offensive lineman, which leads to a lot of pressure. The offense is in bad shape, and Shough's play is suffering for it.
How vulnerable has New Orleans been to downhill running teams, and what could the Giants do with Cam Skattebo and their running game to create problems for the Saints' front seven?
They'll have room to run. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson both had success forcing missed tackles and gaining chunks of yardage, and Skattebo could do the same. Multiple starting defensive linemen have missed time recently with an illness running through the locker room, including Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton, and Christen Miller. Second-year linebacker Danny Stutsman has struggled in space at the second level.
New Orleans has converted 45.8% of its third downs and scored touchdowns on 13 of 16 red-zone possessions despite its 1-4 record. What explains the disconnect between those situational numbers and the team's overall results, and where has the offense broken down most often?
You can tell they're practicing those situations each week. It isn't just Shough and his WR1 Chris Olave having a strong mind-meld on critical downs; he's also had success going to the WR2 Devaughn Vele on third downs, and the Saints did develop a strong package of red zone plays with their two tight ends Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant (who caught two touchdown passes a couple of games ago). One player to watch in short yardage is rookie running back CJ Donaldson. He's a perfect 4-for-4 when the Saints need three yards or fewer.
How do you see Sunday's game playing out? Who wins and what's the final score?
I don't like the matchup between Malik Nabers and Kool-Aid McKinstry, or the Saints' lack of a pass rush against Jameis Winston. I do think they could contain Cam Skattebo by loading the box, but the Giants should have success throwing on them with Kaden Elliss still sidelined. The offense will continue to struggle until Kellen Moore shows an ability to adjust his playbook to the personnel available to him (please, please give Asim Richards some help at left tackle), but they could have some opportunities to run with Kendre Miller against the 31st-ranked run defense. I just don't believe it'll be enough. New York Giants 17, New Orleans Saints 14.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints: Behind Enemy Lines
