The New Orleans Saints are facing off against the Atlanta Falcons at the perfect time. The Falcons defense has been playing horrible, and it sets up a golden opportunity for Tyler Shough to impress fans, the coaching staff, and the national media. This is the next step towards him being the starter in 2026.
The Falcons lost to the Panthers 27-30 last week and Bryce Young threw for a franchise record 448 passing yards and three touchdowns. For reference, Young threw for 124 yards and an interception against the Saints just a week prior.
The Falcons defense made Young look like a different player. He was poised and confident as he dissected Atlanta’s defense at every level. He still took five sacks but didn’t let that rattle him which resulted in a turnover free game. Expect Shough to have a similar impact barring a significant improvement from the Falcons.
Tyler Shough needs to start stringing together good performances
Shough’s performance the remainder of the year will shape the Saints offseason. It’s imperative that he begins stringing together strong performances to ensure the coaching staff he can be the starter next year. He’s got one under his belt, and now, it’s time to add to it.
It’s important to understand that a “good” performance doesn’t mean it will be mistake free. After all, he is still a rookie quarterback and should be expected to make errors. Instead of looking for Shough to be perfect, watch to see how he bounces back and if he can limit those negative plays. That will be more telling for his career outlook.
The Saints have been unable to take advantage of opponents weaknesses in future years. Although it’s crucial to keep the run game strong, they should air it out more often on Sunday; see if Shough can win the game. Regardless, the Saints will have a better view of who Shough is after this game.
Everyone saw what Bryce Young was able to do. It has to have Saints fans licking their chops in preparation for this game. If Shough had the fan base ready to believe a week ago, he may have them completely sold if the Falcons defense proves to be ineffective again.