The New Orleans Saints (4-10) are set to face the Carolina Panthers (3-11) on Sunday afternoon in the Crescent City.
The Saints are on their first win streak of the season after taking down the Carolina Panthers at home last Sunday, 20-17. This was the second game in a row that rookie Tyler Shough led a comeback against an NFC South foe.
The Jets lost on the road to the Jacksonville Jaguars 48-20, now losing four out of their last five games. New York allowed five passing touchdowns to Trevor Lawrence, with Jennings native Travis Etienne Jr making three house calls through the air.
Kickoff between New Orleans and New York from the Caesars Superdome is set for noon on Sunday, December 22nd.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE IR
Without Alvin Kamara and the departures of Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, rookie Devin Neal and wide receiver Devaughn Vele have gotten more opportunities to produce on offense. Both were injured in last week’s win over Carolina and have since been placed on season-ending IR.
New York star receiver Garrett Wilson was also shut out for the previous three games earlier in the week, and the team also released Allen Lazard. The last time Wilson played was on November 13th against the New England Patriots.
LACKING ON OFFENSE
Kamara wasn’t placed on IR, but still won’t be back for this weekend’s game. Audric Estime, Evan Hull, and Taysom Hill will be expected to handle the bulk of the carries. For the passing game, Shough’s top two receiving options will be Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, with a mix of Mason Tipton, Dante Pettis, and Kevin Austin Jr on the outside.
New York won’t have it much easier with third-string quarterback Brady Cook likely starting on Sunday. Cook’s top three receiving options will be John Metchie III, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaiah Williams, but the Jets’ go-to player at this point will be running back Breece Hall.
TROUBLING TURNOVERS
The Jets are at the bottom for multiple defensive turnover categories through 14 games. As a team, New York hasn’t recorded an interception yet and only has three fumble recoveries. The closest team to having that few picks is the Minnesota Vikings with five, and the Washington Commanders are the only team with fewer fumble recoveries with one.
New York’s -17 turnover differential is also the worst in the league, four worse than Minnesota. New Orleans is doing slightly better with a -4 turnover differential, tied for 25th with five other teams. The Jets are also without their best defensive players after packaging them away hours before the NFL Trade Deadline earlier this season.
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 8-6
Last 5 Meetings:
2021: Saints 30 – Jets 9
2017: Saints 31 – Jets 19
2013: Jets 26 – Saints 20
2009: Saints 24 – Jets 10
2005: Saints 21 – Jets 19
STAT LEADERS:
Saints
Tyler Shough: 144-216, 1,486 Yards, 6 TD, 5 INT
Alvin Kamara: 131 Carries, 471 Yards, 1 TD
Chris Olave: 82 Catches, 896 Yards, 6 TD
Cam Jordan: 6.5 Sacks
Demario Davis: 123 Tackles (61 Solo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry: 3 INT
Charlie Smyth: 4-of-5 Field Goals, Long of 56, 5-of-5 PAT
Jets
Justin Fields: 128-204, 1,259 Yards, 7 TD, 1 INT
Breece Hall: 213 Carries, 900 Yards, 3 TD
Garrett Wilson: 36 Catches, 395 Yards, 4 TD
Will McDonald IV: 7 Sacks
Jamien Sherwood: 129 Tackles (58 Solo)
Andre Cisco, Qwan’tez Stiggers & Malachi Moore: 1 FR
Nick Folk: 25-of-26 Field Goal, Long of 58, 21-of-21 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Alvin Kamara, RB, Knee/Ankle, Out
Asim Richards, OT, Ankle, Out
Cesar Ruiz, OG, Ankle, Out
Justin Reid, S, Knee, Questionable
Nathan Shepherd, DT, Ankle/Knee, Questionable
Tyler Shough, QB, Hip, Probable
Mason Tipton, WR, Illness, Questionable
Zaire Mitchell-Paden, TE, Knee, Questionable
Jets
Kiko Mauigoa, LB, Neck, Out
Mason Taylor, TE, Neck, Out
Eric Watts, DL, Concussion, Out
Justin Fields, QB, Knee, Questionable
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Groin/Knee, Questionable
Breece Hall, RB, Knee, Probable
Jermaine Johnson II, ED, Neck/Calf, Probable
Josh Myers, OL, Ankle, Probable
Xavier Newman, OL, Knee, Probable
Joe Tippmann, OL, Ankle, Probable
Jay Tufele, DL, Shin, Probable