The New Orleans Saints fell to the New England Patriots 25-19 on Sunday. It was a close, hard-fought game against a much-improved Patriots team. Defensively, the Saints lost the contest in the passing game. They allowed second-year QB Drake Maye to throw for 261 yards on 26 attempts, three touchdowns, and accumulate a 140.1 Passer Rating.

The New Orleans run defense was stout. They allowed just 73 rushing yards on 31 carries. They particularly shut down New England’s lead rusher, Rhamondre Stevenson, allowing him to run for just 18 yards on 13 attempts. The following are some of the best and worst defensive performances by the Saints, according to PFF.

Pete Werner, LB, 87.2 Overall

Werner, surprisingly, led the New Orleans defense in PFF Defense Grades against the Patriots. He earned respectable grades against the run, in coverage, and as a pass rusher. Werner’s five solo tackles led the team. He also recorded a sack, a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed.

Dropping back into coverage on 20 defensive snaps, Werner allowed only two receptions on four targets. He also ranked No. 1 on the Saints in the PFF stat Defensive Stops, with three. A Defensive Stop is defined as “a tackle that constitutes a failure for the offense”. The 87.2 PFF Defense Grade was a significant improvement over his previous high of 67.9 in 2025.

Chase Young, EDGE, 85.1 Overall

Highly talented and well-compensated edge rusher, Chase Young, made his season debut for New Orleans in Week 6. He had been battling a calf injury that sidelined him for the first five games of the season. Young’s 85.1 PFF Grade ranked No. 3 on the team in Week 6.

Young tied for the team lead with three quarterback hurries while only rushing the passer on 18 plays. His 27% pass rush win rate was easily the highest on the team among those with at least five pass rush attempts. Only one other player had a pass rush win rate above 15%.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, 35.6 Coverage

One week after winning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, McKinstry performed terribly against the Patriots. He was targeted five times, conceding five receptions for 83 yards. Drake Maye had a perfect 158.3 Passer Rating when throwing to a receiver covered by Kool-Aid McKinstry.

This performance was a significant step back for the physically gifted young cornerback. Many thought his Week 6 performance was his coming-out party; however, his play in Week 7 proves that McKinstry has a long way to go in pass coverage.

Carl Granderson, EDGE, 48.1 Pass Rush

Granderson, the Saints’ sack leader on the year, appeared to be missing for much of the game. He collected just two hurries on 23 pass rush attempts and accrued a 5.3% pass rush win rate, worst among edge rushers in the contest.

An ineffective pass rush was much of the reason the New England offense was able to pass the ball for 10 yards per attempt. Granderson, New Orleans’ highest-paid defensive player by total money, was a complete non-factor in this one.