The New Orleans Saints didn't fare well against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, who have the highest blitzing defense in the NFL this year, with a rate of 61.5% through week five. Unfortunately for the offense, their next opponent, the New York Giants, is the second highest with a blitz rate of 59.5%.
In week five, the Saints were just unable to handle what Brian Flores brought to the table, crumbling to the Vikings 23-13 at home. Tyler Shough struggled more than anyone, completing 64% of his dropbacks for only 84 yards and two interceptions. Something that the quarterback knows he and the team can improve on, they must do so quickly, or else they risk a fourth-straight embarrassing loss
It's a bit hard to find one specific root cause, although it's easy to point the finger at the playcalling. There were some counter-blitz plays that they just didn't run enough, not to even mention the lack of playaction. If Shough can gather himself and Kellen Moore can think a bit better with his situational playcalling, then they might receive a better grade in their next test.
The New Orleans Saints need to find some sort of solution to fight the blitz
Dennard Wilson, the Giants' defensive coordinator, has somehow had his defense go a bit under the radar. He isn't known for blitzing as much as Flores, no one is, but Wilson showed last week he isn't afraid to dial it up. The Saints have to be ready for it.
This next time around, the Saints have to add some bit of spice to their playbook, either by calling more screens, play action, or quick throws. Max protect wouldn't necessarily work, because last week all the rushers got through despite it, and Shough had no one to throw to, because his tight ends or halfbacks were blocking. Heading into East Rutherford, N.J., New Orleans, they have to learn to adjust their game plan, or else they raise the risk of owner Gayle Benson making changes.
Tackles Asim Richards and Tailese Fuaga will have to step it up, as the two have allowed 38 pressures and seven sacks (over half of the rest of the O-line combined). They were taken advantage of by Minnesota's linebacker corps last week, and I'd bet all my money that the Giants will try to do the same thing. It worked well for one defense, so why wouldn't it work well for them?
Last week, the Saints showed that they struggle when the opposing defense is blitzing their pants off. If he doesn't want the already loud outside noise to grow in volume, Kellen Moore has to give Shough a better shot at getting a pass off and maybe even send some help via chip blocks to his offensive tackles. The season, and maybe even his job, depends on it.
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