Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and receiver Chris Olave ignited the Saints' offense, leading a dominant Week 10 victory with PFF-grade performances.
The New Orleans Saints earned their second victory of the season in Week 10, defeating the 5-4 Carolina Panthers on the road. They shined on both sides of the ball, and the offense looked in control under its rookie quarterback. Below are the Saints’ top offensive performers from the win, according to Pro Football Focus.
Chris Olave, WR - 78.8 Offense
New Orleans’ best playmaker delivered one of his strongest outings of the year, recording five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. His 62-yard score was the longest reception of his career, and showcased developing chemistry with Tyler Shough, just two starts into the rookie quarterback’s NFL career. The performance marked Olave’s second game of the season with a PFF grade above 75.
Tyler Shough, QB - 76.8 Offense
After a rough debut against the Rams last week, Shough looked like a new quarterback in this one. He was quick in his decision making, made decisive reads, and showed off his impressive arm talent. Most importantly, Shough added a vertical element that was missing from this offense. His Average Depth of Target (aDOT) was 10.5 yards. Spencer Rattler recorded a double-digit aDOT just once in his eight starts this year. Shough completed 19 of 27 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, recording a 128.9 Passer Rating.
Cesar Ruiz, RG - 88.6 Pass Block
Ruiz was flawless in pass protection, leading the team with an 88.6 PFF Pass Block Grade. He allowed no sacks, hurries, or pressures, marking the third time this year he has done so. Ruiz also earned a perfect 100 grade in PFF’s Pass Blocking Efficiency metric, reflecting his reliability on the interior.
Juwan Johnson, TE - 76.4 Offense
Johnson turned in his most efficient performance of 2025, averaging a massive 4.18 yards per route run and generating a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeted. He caught a touchdown and totaled 92 receiving yards, including 49 yards after the catch. His previous season high in yards per route run was 2.55, signaling a shift in the offensive attack.
Kelvin Banks Jr, LT - 87.8 Pass Block
The rookie left tackle continues to ascend. After earning an 84.4 run blocking grade a week ago, Banks posted a career-high pass blocking grade against Carolina. He allowed just one pressure in 32 pass blocking snaps, and did not allow a sack, keeping Shough’s blind side clean throughout the game.