3 Takeaways From Saints’ Loss To Vikings in Week 5

The New Orleans Saints were taken to the woodshed on Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings' defense smothered Tyler Shough and the Saints' offense. The Saints ran 43 plays on Sunday, which was the third-fewest total of the season. The Vikings blitzed the Saints all game, and the relentless nature of Brian Flores and his defense has run roughshod over the NFL.

Here are three takeaways from Sunday's loss.

Tyler Shough struggles against Minnesota

Overall, Shough has played well through five weeks. Sunday was clearly his worst performance of the season as he threw for less than 100 yards, but Minnesota's defense is playing on another level. The secondary seemed to be sticky on every receiver and everything looked like a struggle. With only 3.8 YPA, it's hard to envision any offense having success against the Vikings.

Two interceptions only compounded the problems presented by the Vikings defense, but this is a good learning experience for Shough and the offense. Better days are ahead for the young quarterback and the Saints offense. 

Chase Young continues his impressive play

Young continues his career renaissance. With six sacks on the season, Young is on a career pace and Sunday was another stellar showing. Five pressures, a sack, four hurries brings his season total to 20 pressures, 13 hurries, a QB hit, six defensive stops, and two batted passes.

Oh, Young added a fumble recovery. Whatever switch has been flipped for Young has completely changed the trajectory of his career. No longer considered a player who failed to live up to expectations, Young has realized his potential later in his career and has transformed the Saints pass rush. 

Erik McCoy continues his stellar season

The Saints center is cementing his path to a Pro Bowl and possibly an All-Pro berth. Despite the relentless Vikings pass rush, McCoy finished with a clean sheet on 27 pass-rushing snaps. The Vikings totaled ten pressures, seven hurries, two QB hits, and a sack. Still, McCoy has been stellar and is fully healthy. 

The offense and Saints overall have time to figure things out, but the offensive line play from the center is cornerstone play. In fact, Saints offensive linemen only totaled five pressures allowed with Tailese Fuaga allowing three. 

The other pressures are against tight ends, blitz pick ups, and the running backs. That's the nature of Flores and his confusing defensive scheme. That is a positive for the offensive line.