The New Orleans Saints' overtime loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday showed what Tyler Shough and Chris Olave can do against a beat-up secondary; however, their next opponent has a different kind of defense. Not only is the Baltimore Ravens secondary healthy, but it also hosts one of the top safeties in the league: Kyle Hamilton.
On the day, Shough had a career high of 410 passing yards and three touchdowns, with 182 of those yards going to Olave (which was also a career high). However, that was against a very beat-up Lions secondary, who was without both starting safeties. But again, Baltimore won't be shorthanded the same way.
The kind of production that sees a quarterback get over 400 passing yards and a receiver achieve nearly 200 is rare against a defense with an actual difference maker in the secondary. Hamilton, a two-time first-team all-pro, is the said difference maker for the Ravens. The Saints' first chance at success next Sunday might have to be identifying where the safety is before the start of every play.
The Saints need to figure out how to avoid Ravens' Kyle Hamilton
Kyle Hamilton, a 2022 first-round draft pick, is not only a multi-time All-Pro early in his career but also a three-time Pro-Bowler. He comes with an unpredictability, versatility, and football IQ that are unique in the NFL, and that is what makes him a real problem for the Saints offense. This season, he could be the biggest challenge for the Tyler Shough and Chris Olave connection.
What makes matters worse for Shough in particular is that he's already shown that he can be pressured into errant throws. A sharp safety like Hamilton could force hesitation or any slight off-throw into an interception, and perhaps even bigger mistakes that Detroit wasn't able to pull off. The connection that nearly cost the Lions in week one has yet to face a challenge like the one the Ravens safety is about to give them.
Heading into the 2026 season, Hamilton was Pro Football Focus's highest-rated safety, with a grade of 92.6. If New Orleans can do their best to just... avoid him this Sunday afternoon, the chances of another outpouring of offense from them might be higher than initially thought. The other defensive backs on the Ravens, like Nate Wiggens and Marlon Humphrey, should prepare to face the Shough and Olave experience.
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