The New Orleans Saints got back in the win column with a 28-6 victory over their NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers. It was close for most of the game then a couple of touchdowns late led to the 22-point win.
The Black and Gold will finish out this three-game home stretch by hosting the Giants. New York has won three in a row and is now 5-8 on the season thanks to the efforts of their third-string quarterback Tommy Devito.
New Orleans is 6-7 and is in a three-way tie for first in the NFC South but is placed in the third spot due to previously losing to the Buccaneers and Falcons. New York is still in third place in the NFC East due to a large win difference with the Cowboys and Eagles. The Commanders are right behind the Giants at 4-9.
This contest between the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants will be on Sunday, December 17th. Kickoff in the Caesars Superdome is set for noon.
NEW LINSANITY
In 2011, the New York Knicks had an unexpected turnaround to their season as Jeremy Lin played a phenomenal two or three weeks of basketball.
It looks like it’s happening again for another New York sports franchise. Tommy Devito has taken the NFL by storm after starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his ACL in week nine against the Las Vegas Raiders and Tyrod Taylor was sent to injured reserve due to a rib injury.
Devito was thrown into the fire as he faced the now 10-3 Dallas Cowboys in their house and lost 49-17. Since then, the Giants beat the Commanders 31-19, got by the Patriots 10-7, and on Monday Night Football led the offense to a game-winning field goal to defeat the Green Bay Packers 24-22.
In those three wins, the rookie has thrown five touchdowns, zero interceptions, and is completing 72 percent of his passes. Another aspect of Devito’s game that showed versus the Packers was his ability to scramble and run for first downs.
RUN GAME
Devito’s passing prowess and confidence aren’t the only things that have led to his success on the field. The Giants signal-caller has athletic ability and we saw it on full display on Monday night against the Packers as he rushed for 71 yards on 10 carries.
Despite the media attention to the Italian quarterback, the backfield and offense are still headlined by their running back Saquon Barkley. The number two pick in the 2018 NFL draft is 11th in the league in rushing yards with 783. Barkley’s ability to catch the football has allowed him to record almost 200 more yards and score through the air four times.
New Orleans has been trying to establish their run game. The Saints tend to start the game by rushing the ball well and picking up first downs but will stop the momentum they’ve had in the middle of the game or once the team gets into the redzone.
LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR
Despite being in a three-way tie for first place with the Falcons and Buccaneers in the NFC South, the Saints are behind the eight ball.
With four games left in the regular season, New Orleans is starting to run out of leeway at 6-7. Following this game on Sunday, The Black and Gold will travel to the West Coast on a short week to play the Los Angeles Rams, then finish the season on the road against Tampa and then host Atlanta.
For the Bucs, their other two remaining games will be on the road against the 6-7 Packers and at home versus the 8-5 Jaguars. The Falcons will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to face the 1-12 Panthers and then welcome the 7-6 Colts to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The rest of these games are crucial and must-wins if the Saints have a serious desire to win the division and host a playoff game.
SERIES RECORD: Giants lead 17-14
Last 5 meetings:
2021: NYG 27 – NO 21 OT
2018: NO 33 – NYG 18
2016: NYG 16 – NO 13
2015: NO 52 – NYG 49
2012: NYG 52 – NO 27
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 279-420 2,880 yards, 13 TD, 7 INT
Alvin Kamara: 145 carries, 564 yards, 5 TD
Chris Olave: 72 catches, 918 yards, 4 TD
Carl Granderson: 6.5 sacks
Demario Davis: 91 tackles (57 solo)
Blake Grupe: 24-of-31 field goals, Long of 55
GIANTS
Daniel Jones: 108-160 909 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT
Saquon Barkley: 185 carries, 783 yards, 3 TD
Darius Slayton: 34 catches, 449 yards, 1 TD
Kayvon Thibodeaux: 11.5 sacks
Bobby Okereke: 119 tackles (75 solo)
Graham Gano: 11-of-17 field goals, Long of 57
NOTABLE INJURIES:
SAINTS
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Quad, Out
Kendre Miller, RB, Ankle, Out
Chris Olave, WR, Ankle, Questionable
Andrus Peat, T/G, Illness, Probable
Taysom Hill, QB, Foot/Left Hand, Probable
Cameron Jordan, DE, Ankle, Questionable
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Thigh, Probable
Ryan Ramczyk, T, Knee, Questionable
Jamaal Williams, RB, Groin, Questionable
Payton Turner, DE, Toe, Out
GIANTS
Cor’Dale Flott, CB, DB, Shoulder, Questionable
Dexter Lawrence, DL, Hamstring, Questionable
Evan Neal, T, Ankle, Doubtful
Azeez Ojulari, LB, Shoulder, Probable
A’Shawn Robinson, DL, Hamstring/Finger, Questionable
Parris Campbell, WR, Knee, Probable
Isaiah Simmons, LB, Ankle, Questionable
Darren Waller, TE, Hamstring, Questionable
Cam Brown, LB, Hamstring, Questionable
Justin Pugh, OL, Calf, Questionable
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Quad, Questionable