The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets face in a meeting of team's with similar records but very different vibes.
The Saints enter on the back of two straight wins over NFC South opponents and with QB optimism shining through in Tyler Shough's strong rookie campaign. The Jets, meanwhile, are coming off back-to-back losses by a margin of 82-30 and they're looking to UDFA Brady Cook at QB as Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields look on from the bench. The Jets just fired their defensive coordinator and the Saints enter as a near-touchdown favorite. Get the idea?
THE GAME | Jets (3-11) at Saints (4-10)
- When: Noon, Sunday, Dec. 21
- Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
- Last meeting: 2021, Saints 30, Jets 9
- Series history: Saints lead 8-6
- Betting: Saints -6.5; over/under 40.5
- TV: CBS
- Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3 & the Audacy app
- Pregame: First Take with Steve Geller & Jeff Nowak, 8 to 10 a.m.; Countdown to Kickoff with Steve Geller & Bobby Hebert, 10 a.m. to noon
With all that in mind, here are the top three things I'm looking for (and some lagniappe) when the Saints and Jets face off in Week 16.
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1. Let's go streaking?
I have no interest in talking about draft picks right now, but I am willing to talk about winning streaks. You know, that thing the Saints haven't done IN YEARS.
Seriously, years, I'm not exaggerating. The Saints haven't won more than two consecutive games since way back in the 2022 season, a three-game win streak to somewhat salvage a season that began 4-9. It's notable because reeling off a long stretch of wins was a defining characteristic of the Sean Payton era, at least in the successful years.
Don't believe me? Here are the longest win streaks of each season during Payton's 16 seasons as head coach:
- 2006: 3 games (twice)
- 2007: 4 games
- 2008: 2 games
- 2009: 13 games
- 2010: 6 games
- 2011: 8 games
- 2012: 3 games
- 2013: 5 games
- 2014: 2 games
- 2015: 3 games
- 2016: 2 games
- 2017: 8 games
- 2018: 10 games
- 2019: 6 games
- 2020: 9 games
- 2021: 3 games
Good teams seem to find ways to string a lot of wins together.
I bring this up because Kellen Moore's group has a chance to finish the year on a five-game heater. That challenge will presumably get steeper over the final two games, but to get there the Saints have to take care of business against a Jets team that seems perfectly satisfied with losing as many games as they can.
The Saints aren't satisfied with what they've done thus far. The Saints are trying to build a culture. You build a culture through sustained success, particularly when it's a product of doing things the right way, which I'd argue the Saints have done this year.
I say this a lot, but the team any rebuilding franchise should try to emulate is the Lions. In 2022 they started the season 1-6 and looked dead in the water. Then the wins started to come. The Lions finished the year with 8 wins in their final 10 games. Their 9-8 record didn't get them to the postseason. Strictly looking at that season, the rally was "meaningless," but the impact was clear.
That Lions team has gone 35-13 since, including an NFC Championship appearance and a 15-win season. The Saints would love to be in a similar conversation.
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2. Next, next man up
The words "next man up" are said a lot in the NFL. Injuries are inevitable, and so is your depth getting tested at some point throughout the season. It's tough to win games if your backups can't hack it.
That's one of the more positive things to come out of this season for the Saints, because there have been A LOT of fill-in players that have delivered big performances. The Saints have had rookies starting at LT, safety and cornerback for most or all of the season. But more recently the need has been on offense.
Devaughn Vele stepped into a void at WR and had his three best games of the season. Devin Neal stepped up due to an injury to Alvin Kamara and responded with two career-best games. Both of those players are now on injured reserve due to injuries suffered during the win over the Panthers. That means the Saints aren't just relying on backups, they're officially onto players who weren't even on the roster to start the season.
Who are they? At WR it'll be Kevin Austin Jr. joining a group that still includes Chris Olave, Mason Tipton and Dante Pettis.
At running back? Get ready to learn more about Audric Estime and Evan Hull, two players who were added to the practice squad midseason before being added to the active roster.
Related
I've been asked a few times this week who would be leading that rotation, and I genuinely don't know if that question can be answered until the game starts. This feels like a ride the hot hand type of game. Both guys will see action, but if Estime or Hull pops a few long runs early I could see the backfield tilting their way in terms of reps.
What I will say is that Estime should be an asset in short-yardage situations and if it comes down to the goal line, he's the guy. But he also flashed an intriguing pass-catching skillset late in the win over the Panthers. His goal is to show the Saints he can be an all-around back. Welp, here's your opportunity.
It's worth mentioning that the Jets defense allows 137.2 yards per game on the ground, the 4th highest number in the NFL. They allow 3.29 yards after contact, which indicates poor tackling. There will be room to run.
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3. Chase Young, impact player
One of the most common predictions in training camp was that Chase Young was in line for a massive season. Then he went out with a calf injury and missed the first five games. It as a nightmare scenario with the Saints going the first month of the season without a win.
The defense had its moments, but it struggled to get off the field in third and long situations. Those are the exact moments you brought Chase Young in to dominate.
The Saints have climbed up the ranks in that department -- and in most key defensive metrics -- since Young's return in Week 6. His six sacks won't jump off the page, but his 18.4% pressure rate ranks No. 4 in the NFL among defensive linemen. He's the Saints' most consistent presence affecting the opposing QB.
I'm still waiting for a game that he truly takes over, something I know he's capable of. We've seen it in flashes, like when he sacked Bryce Young last week to torpedo a potential go-ahead drive and then tracked him down on a scramble to force a punt.
If the Saints can stuff the run and force Brady Cook to attack through the air, it'd be great to see a multi-sack game from Chase. If it happened he'd set a new career high in an injury-shortened season, which would mark an impressive start to the contract extension he signed ahead of the year.
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has challenged Young to become an all-around defensive player. We've got a three-game sample to close out the year where he can prove that's what he is.
LAGNIAPPE
Kellen Moore knows a lot about Jets starter Brady Cook, and it's not from his time in the NFL. Cook was the starting QB at Missouri the past three years before landing with the Jets as a UDFA. His offensive coordinator? Kirby Moore, Kellen's younger brother. ... Speaking of Kellen, he'd never draw any extra attention to the head-to-head coaching matchup, but I will. A lot of folks were in on Aaron Glenn in the coaching search, but he chose the Jets. The Saints took their time and landed on Kellen Moore. Neither team has seen the rookie coach bump that the Bears and Patriots are enjoying, but which is better off? This'll be an interesting start to that conversation. ... William Sherman will be drawing a start for the Saints after back-to-back games coming on in relief. This time he'll be replacing Cesar Ruiz, who is down with an ankle injury. ... Justin Reid will be back this week after two missed games due to a knee injury. The Saints are happy with their secondary group that filled in during his absence. ... The Saints signed Charlie Smyth to the active roster this week and replaced Cade York. The past three weeks Smyth had been called up from the practice squad, but it's his job now. Let's see what he does with it.