Saints’ Biggest Week 5 Problem Isn’t Minnesota’s 4-0 Record, It’s Protecting Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints have plenty to worry about Sunday against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, but one matchup should sit at the top of Kellen Moore’s list: keeping Tyler Shough upright against Minnesota’s pressure packages.

New Orleans enters Week 5 at 1-3 and is coming off an ugly 45-24 Monday night loss to Atlanta. Minnesota arrives at Caesars Superdome at 4-0. Add a Saints injury report that listed 16 players Friday, three ruled out and six questionable, and this already feels like one of those games where New Orleans cannot afford to make life harder on itself. 

And that starts with Shough.

Through four games, Shough leads the NFL with 180 passing attempts and 121 completions. That works out to 45 passes per game before even accounting for his sacks. The Saints' official site noted that including 12 sacks, New Orleans has had 48 passing dropbacks per game. 

That number tells you almost everything about the Saints offense right now.

Yes, Shough has shown that he can handle volume. He has thrown for 1,203 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 67.2% of his passes. But there is a difference between proving your quarterback can carry the offense and making him carry it because there is no alternative.

Against Minnesota, that difference could decide the game.

If the Saints allow the Vikings to turn Sunday into another 45-to-50-dropback afternoon, they will essentially be playing Minnesota's preferred style of football. The Vikings know New Orleans has leaned heavily on Shough, and disguising pressure becomes considerably easier when the defense knows what's coming.

Moore needs balance, even if the Saints don't necessarily produce huge rushing numbers.

Sometimes running the football is about more than yards. It slows the pass rush, forces linebackers to respect play-action and gives your offensive line opportunities to attack rather than constantly retreat into pass protection.

New Orleans doesn't have to look far for evidence.

The Saints managed only 50 rushing yards on 19 attempts against Atlanta. Shough consequently attempted 48 passes, completing 30 for 286 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Atlanta rushed for 205 yards and five touchdowns in its 45-24 victory. 

That's not complementary football.

When one team controls the ground game and the other is forced to throw nearly 50 times, the defense eventually gets tired, the opposing pass rush gets aggressive and mistakes become more likely.

Shough also entered this week nursing soreness in his non-throwing left hand following the Falcons game, although he returned to full practice participation Thursday. 

The last thing New Orleans needs is another afternoon where its quarterback absorbs unnecessary punishment.

This is where Moore earns his money as a play-caller.

Screens. Quick slants. Running back checkdowns. Tight end releases. Draws. Play-action. Motion before the snap.

Use everything available to make Minnesota hesitate.

The goal shouldn't necessarily be eliminating pressure because that probably isn't realistic. The goal should be punishing the Vikings whenever they bring it.

If Minnesota sends six defenders, somebody is uncovered or facing favorable leverage. Shough needs answers built into the play before the ball is snapped.

And New Orleans cannot repeatedly find itself facing third-and-8 or third-and-10. That is basically an invitation for Minnesota to open the defensive playbook.

Staying ahead of the chains might be the most underrated key to Sunday's game.

At 1-3, we're reaching the point where moral victories don't accomplish much.

Minnesota leads the all-time regular-season series 21-12 and has won the past two meetings. New Orleans hasn't hosted the Vikings since Christmas Day 2020, when Alvin Kamara scored six rushing touchdowns in a 52-33 Saints victory. 

Sunday also represents the Saints' final Superdome appearance until Nov. 8. After Minnesota, New Orleans visits the Giants before traveling to France to face Pittsburgh. 

That makes this more than just another early-season game.

A victory over an undefeated Vikings team would immediately change the conversation surrounding New Orleans. Falling to 1-4 would create an entirely different discussion.

Tyler Shough has already shown me something through four games. He's willing to stand in the pocket, take hits and keep throwing.

But toughness shouldn't become the offensive game plan.

The Saints don't need Shough throwing 48 times Sunday to prove he's their quarterback. They need him making 30-something smart, efficient throws while the running game, offensive line and play-calling do their part.

Minnesota is 4-0 for a reason. New Orleans probably isn't winning this game by allowing the Vikings defense to dictate when and how Shough throws the football.

Protect him. Establish enough of a running threat to keep Minnesota honest. Give him quick answers against pressure.

Do those three things, and the Saints have a legitimate chance to hand Minnesota its first loss.

Ignore them, and Sunday could become another very long afternoon inside the Superdome.