New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints: What's the Game Plan for New Orleans?
The New Orleans Saints will take on the New York Giants Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in an important midseason NFC matchup.
After a dismal start, coach Sean Payton’s squad has reeled off two straight wins, and it's emerged the victor in three of its last four outings. The Saints (3-4) are still several games behind the undefeated Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, however, and they’ll be looking to stay within striking distance by chalking up another win on Sunday.
The 4-3 Giants are clinging to a one-game lead in the NFC East, and coach Tom Coughlin’s club will also be treating Sunday’s contest as one of significance.
TOP NEWS
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Colts Release Kenny Moore
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
This matchup should be winnable for New Orleans on its home turf, but the Saints will need to execute with precision and without costly errors.
Let’s take a look at a few things Payton and his staff may opt to do come Sunday afternoon.
Offense
The Giants field the league’s No. 30-ranked pass defense, and it’s safe to assume Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense will come out and go right at coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit with an aggressive aerial attack.
Spagnuolo had an unsuccessful stint as New Orleans defensive coordinator in 2012, and as many Saints fans will remember, his defenses rely on penetration from the front four. In the early going, look for Brees to stretch the Giants horizontally with screens, swing passes and quick outs while mixing in intermediate routes to keep the chains moving.
A shot or two downfield may eventually be in order, but the Saints will also look to establish their power ground game, which showed up big last week against the Indianapolis Colts.
New Orleans enjoyed great success against Indianapolis when running out of a three-tight end set. The Saints used backup tackle Andrus Peat as their third tight end earlier this season, but with the recent addition of Michael Hoomanawanui, the offense has become more dynamic.
New Orleans acquired Hoomanawanui when it traded defensive lineman Akiem Hicks to the New England Patriots in late September. With the versatile six-year veteran in the lineup, not only can the Saints play smashmouth, but they’ll also have three bona fide receiving threats on the field at tight end.
Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill are both accomplished receivers, and Hoomanawanui proved his worth in the passing game a week ago. The Illinois product hauled in five passes against the Colts, including a touchdown reception, in just his second game as a Saint.
As long as Sean Payton is at the helm and Drew Brees is under center, the Saints will do what they do well: throw the football.
But with the versatile Hoomanawanui in the fold, New Orleans can utilize its three-tight end set to the fullest extent. When operating out of this set, the Saints have the ability to go vertical with seam routes, and they can stretch the defense horizontally with quick-hitting short passes. Of course, they can also hammer the opposition with the power-running game, all without having to substitute personnel.
Against the Giants on Sunday, the Saints will likely take to the air often, but they’ll also be well-equipped to balance things out on the ground.
Defense
A quick glance at the NFL’s team statistics suggests the Saints defense could serve as the perfect remedy this week for a Giants offense that’s become somewhat stagnant.
New Orleans ranks No. 30 in the league in total defense, but as is often the case, the stats fail to tell the whole story.
The Saints' young unit is displaying marked improvement under coordinator Rob Ryan, and the confidence of the group is seemingly growing with each passing week.
New Orleans starts two rookies at linebacker in Stephone Anthony and Hau’oli Kikaha, while Bobby Richardson and Tyeler Davison, also rookies, are garnering significant snaps on the defensive line.
In the secondary, fifth-round pick Damian Swann has logged major minutes at cornerback, and first-year NFL player and former CFL standout Delvin Breaux is the Saints’ top cover man on the outside.
With such a surplus of young, inexperienced players thrust into prominent roles, it was inevitable the Saints would struggle defensively in the early portion of the season. The group is quietly but steadily getting better, however, and it will get another opportunity to showcase its forward progress Sunday afternoon.
New York’s pass offense can’t exactly be called explosive at the moment, as the Giants have been slow to hit on the big play this season. The unit is certainly capable, however, and the Eli Manning-to-Odell Beckham, Jr. combination could strike at any moment in the game.
Accordingly, New Orleans should center its defensive game plan on pressuring the Giants passer as often as possible.
The Saints may be near the bottom of the league in many defensive categories, but sacks aren't one of them. With 16, New Orleans is tied for No. 12 in the league in sacks this season, and defensive end Cam Jordan has been ferocious in recent weeks. In fact, the former first-round pick has five sacks in his last two games.
Earlier this season, Ryan implemented a NASCAR package that places his top four pass-rushers across the defensive front at the same time. Lately, Jordan has excelled in this package, and with Manning looking for Beckham on the slants and fade routes that feature so prominently in the New York passing game, there’s no reason to think the Saints won’t turn to it again Sunday.
The Giants don't often give up sacks, but with Jordan on a tear, the Saints will attempt to get him in a favorable one-on-one matchup.
New York’s offensive line is strong in the middle, but the Giants appear more vulnerable on the edges. Tackles Ereck Flowers and Marshall Newhouse will be tested not only by Jordan but also by Kikaha and Kasim Edebali, both of whom will be champing at the bit to introduce themselves to the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
And, of course, it’s perfectly reasonable to believe Ryan will have some spicy blitzes cooked up for Manning, as the New Orleans native returns to his home town.
Prediction
Despite the mediocre records these two teams bring into this one, Sunday’s contest actually holds considerable importance for both the Saints and the Giants.
A New Orleans win pushes the Saints to .500 on the season, while a Giants victory keeps them in sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Offensively, look for the Saints to utilize a healthy mix of the pass and the run, as they attempt to slowly impose their will on the Giants defensive front.
On the other side of the ball, Breaux is a promising young corner, but he isn’t likely to hold Beckham in check for the entire game. If the Saints can keep the big plays to a minimum, however, while pressuring Manning with regularity, they’ll take a big step toward earning a “W.”
The Giants will eventually find the end zone, and they’ll probably do it multiple times, but the Saints' fast-developing young defense will make the plays needed to keep New Orleans' winning streak going.
Saints 27, Giants 17
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
