The New Orleans Saints have their only primetime game on Monday, when the Atlanta Falcons visit. A visiting offense whose top wide receiver, Drake London, had 194 receiving yards last week, the Saints' secondary won't be getting anything easy. However, the New Orleans secondary is up to the task.
Despite the fact that he sits sixth in the NFL now in terms of receiving yards, London has shown that there can be a cap put on him through the first three weeks of the season. He arguably underperformed up until last week, gathering only 80 yards and zero touchdowns before his week three explosion. With the formula of how to slow down the Falcons star already discovered, it only makes the job on Sunday easier.
Even so, the secondary shouldn't let their guard down. London's game last Thursday against the Packers would've been the second most yards by a receiver all of last season, and there's always the chance that last week is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what he can do this season. But again, there are many options at the disposal of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley; it's just a matter of which one he chooses to use.
The Saints have a clear plan of action when it comes to Falcons WR Drake London
Cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley are two players who are certainly ready for the challenge. Same with safeties Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon, a unit that has the Saints' only interception of the season. Even edge rusher Chase Young or linebacker Kaden Elliss, if healthy, could be utilized in the game plan to stop London.
Pass rush was a big reason London was limited in week one, as quarterback Cooper Rush just didn't have any time to get the ball downfield because he was pressured 38% of the time. Sacked four times, pass rush wasn't just a big reason for London going quiet; it was the reason.
In week two, it was the opposing secondary that hampered the Falcons' wide receiver, with the Panthers grabbing three interceptions from two different quarterbacks. If the Saints' cornerbacks and safeties can cause even a little hesitation from Michael Penix Jr. (who did not play in that Carolina game) or even London himself on Monday, then Julian Blackmon won't have the team's lone interception for long.
Staley and the defense's plan of action should be to combine the two. If Penix Jr. is pressured into looking through his reads, and the Saints consistently force tight window throws to London, the New Orleans defense can cause the Falcons offense to never quite settle.
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