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New Orleans Saints third-year cornerback Paulson Adebo has taken strides this season and it showed last Sunday.
Against the Chicago Bears, Adebo intercepted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent twice and forced a fumble on star wide receiver DJ Moore as well as recovered that fumble. The former Stanford Cardinal also had three passes defended and made seven tackles in the 24-17 win in the Caesars Superdome. That performance earned Adebo the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Adebo has become a nice compliment as a boundary corner opposite Marshon Lattimore and with second-year man Alontae Taylor making plays at the nickel position, this group has become one of the best secondaries in the league as Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye are a part of this group.
In seven out of a possible nine games played, the 24-year-old leads the team in interceptions (4), has defended 11 passes, has two forced fumbles and recoveries, recorded 27 tackles, and has three stuffs. Quarterbacks who have thrown in Adebo’s direction have a 40.7 passer rating, good for second-best in the league.
Next up for Adebo and the New Orleans Saints will be a road test as they travel to the land of 10,000 lakes to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Injuries on the offensive side of the ball have hurt the Vikings over the last couple of weeks as it doesn’t look like Justin Jefferson will make his return from injured reserve, both Kirk Cousin and Cam Akers tore their Achilles.
So, that means Adebo will line up against other pass catchers like rookie Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, and Jalen Nailor while recently acquired Joshua Dobbs will start under center for Minnesota. But guys such as star tight end TJ Hockenson and receiver KJ Osborn are listed as questionable for the game on Sunday.
Kickoff in U.S. Bank Stadium is set for noon.