New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan sets NFL history in dominant Week 13 outing
New Orleans Saints’ 6-foot-4 defensive end Cameron Jordan set NFL history in a dominant Week 13 performance against Atlanta.
For starters, the New Orleans Saints’ 2011 first-round pick has both a league-high and a career-high 13.5 sacks this season. With four games left, Jordan could easily reach 17 sacks or more. The 30-year-old now has double-figure sacks in five of his last seven seasons.
He’s just been an all-around monster this season.
He came into Week 13 with 9.5 sacks and left it with 13.5 as the Saints put on a show against Atlanta in the final game on Thanksgiving.
Not only does Jordan have the most in the NFL right now, but he set an NFL record for the most sacks on a specific quarterback since 1982, according to a report from ESPN’s Mike Triplett.
This is both a testament to Jordan’s dominance and Matt Ryan’s dominance. After all, if Ryan doesn’t continue as the Falcons starters and stay in the NFC South, Jordan likely doesn’t get to him so many times.
Cameron Jordan made some more history that Saints fans will enjoy. In addition to hitting career highs with 4 sacks in a game and 13.5 in a season, he has now sacked Matt Ryan 18 times — most by any player against any QB since sacks became a stat in 1982, per Elias Sports Bureau.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 29, 2019
Cameron Jordan has been a force for the Saints’ defensive line, one of the team’s most dominant units. The three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has elevated his game to a new level in his ninth season in the league.
NOLA.com’s Jeff Nowak caught up with Jordan following the impressive outing. Let’s just say Jordan is hungry for more.
"“It hurts because I could have had five. It could have been five,” he said after the win and a turkey leg snack. “I’m trying to make these nights special. You only have so many opportunities available.”"
As a team, the Saints (40) rank third in sacks, having played a game more than the bulk of the league. The Panthers (41) and 49ers (44) will have a game to separate themselves as the most dominant pass rush in the league.
The Saints and 49res are set to meet in Week 14, and it could be a gritty, defensive-focused game. However, in the Brees and Thomas’ led offense can find the endzone a few times, Jordan and the defense should be able to put it away.
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That game could decide the NFC’s No. 1 seed. They’ll need a big one from Jordan this coming week.