New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees can compile a lengthy personal highlight tape versus the New York Giants.
The schedule may say it’s the New York Giants against the New Orleans Saints, but reality tells us it’s Drew Brees matched up against the Bg Blue defense. According to Pro Football Reference, in seven career games against the G-Men, Brees has thrown 20 touchdowns versus just four interceptions.
More importantly, Brees has a record of 5-2 when matched up against the New York Giants, beginning in 2005 – when he was a member of the San Diego Chargers.
Most Giants fans have forgotten (or would like to forget) the 2015 Bayou barn-burner, when Brees threw for 505 yards, and Big Blue lost a 52-49 shootout to the Saints. Ironically in that game, Brees threw two interceptions, but he more than made up for it with seven touchdown passes.
Since the focus is statistics, keep in mind that both losses Brees has suffered at the hands of the New York Giants came on the road. On Dec. 9, 2012, the Giants embarrassed New Orleans with a 52-27 thrashing at MetLife Stadium. Then on Sep. 18, 2016, in Ben McAdoo’s first season as head coach, the G-Men bested New Orleans in a lackluster 16-13 affair.
In both losses, Brees only threw just one touchdown pass, so clearly, the emphasis this week will be keeping Brees in check. Tamping down on the veteran signal-caller will stymie any potential Saints momentum. And the G-Men would happily take lackluster over thrilling, especially if it means victory.
Remember, there’s no other player in the NFL more important to his team than Brees is to the New Orleans Saints.
Defensive posture
The challenge for the New York Giants defense manifests itself in slowing down the pace of the game. Getting into a track meet with the Saints remains a recipe for disaster.
Fortunately, Big Blue’s defenders practice against a unit similarly situated to that of New Orleans. Like Saquon Barkley, running back Alvin Kamara proves to be a rushing and receiving threat. In three games this season, Karmara has 30 receptions for 289 yards and a touchdown.
On the outside, Michael Thomas continues to turn head. He already has 38 receptions for 398 receiving yards and three touchdowns. That’s Odell Beckham-like production. And don’t sleep on journeyman Ted Ginn, who can pop up out of nowhere to provide a secondary target, and instant offense for Brees and company. On top of it, Ginn also has a bit more speed than Sterling Shepard.
Right now, linebacker Alec Ogletree will likely get primary responsibility for Kamara. Pro Football Focus grades Ogletree overall at 53.1, with a 62.6 coverage grade. Keeping Kamara pinned inside and punishing him on successful receptions should be the objective.
Outside, hopefully, cornerback Eli Apple reappears in the Giants line-up this week, especially with Janoris Jenkins scuffling through the early season.
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Jenkins grades out to a 63.7, compared to Apple’s 78.6 grade, with B.W Webb coming in with a disappointing 51.0 grade. Diminutive Donte Deayon has earned more playing time with his eye-opening 70.6 grade, however.
But it’s best not to tempt fate, so slowing down the Saints means slowing down Brees.
Up front, Big Blue does pine for the return of edge defender Olivier Vernon. Against an up-tempo offensive unit like the Saints, the defensive line rotation becomes critical. In Vernon’s absence, Kerry Wynn has been a life saver, with a top 5 grade of 87.8 among edge defenders.
Reserve defensive tackle Mario Edwards netted a quarterback sack against the Houston Texans. And free safety Curtis Riley responded with a better efforts in Houston and recorded six tackles.
In the interior, Damon Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill have all been solid. Keeping the Saints as a one-dimensional passing attack, should be fairly easy for this group. If Kamara rushes for more than 100 yards, then it’s trouble for the G-Men. Kamara only averages 47.0 yards per game on the ground.
Overall, the key will be to not let Brees get into a rhythm. Mixing fronts and coverages will help somewhat, but remember that Brees remains a crafty veteran. Overall, defenders will have to step up their game, so that the G-Men can level out their record at 2-2. Look for rookie linebacker Lorenzo Carter to be a possible X-factor, as he possesses the speed to disrupt the Saints offense.
For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.