In a Week 7 performance that matched the inclement weather, the New Orleans Saints played sloppy football in their loss to the Chicago Bears. The Saints were unable to control the trenches, and allowed the Bears to rush for 222 yards on 5.6 yards per carry, both of which were season-low marks for New Orleans.

Though it was a disastrous effort in run defense, they fared much better against the pass. Yes, there was constant rain and powerful winds, which greatly minimized either team’s passing performance. However, several Saints defenders stepped up in their roles. These are some of their top defensive players in Week 7, via PFF grades:

Chase Young, Edge Rusher, 85.9 Pass Rush

It was just Young’s second game of the season back from injury, and he made his presence felt. Young recorded a team-high five pressures, 3 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, half a sack, and a 23.5% pass rush win rate. This was the type of performance the New Orleans’ brass have been hoping for out of Young since he was signed as a free agent. Now fully healthy, he is showing the rare combination of speed and power that got him drafted No. 2 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Chase Young’s 85.9 Pass Rush Grade was the highest single-game mark in 2025 for any Saints defender logging at least five pass rush snaps. Young has been a welcome addition to the bayou; he has an 89.8 PFF Defense Grade through two games this year. Though a small sample, the last season he accumulated a 75+ Defense Grade was 2022. This could be the Chase Young that NFL and college football fans have been hoping to see for many years.

Quincy Riley, Cornerback, 78.1 Coverage

The 6-foot, 195-pound rookie corner has had an up-and-down season since being selected in the fourth round out of Louisville. Coming off his worst defensive performance in Week 6 against the New England Patriots, Riley led the Black & Gold defenders in PFF Coverage Grade in Week 7. He was targeted in the pass game six times and allowed three receptions for 25 yards. He gave up just nine yards after the catch, deflected a pass, and recorded his first career interception.

The Saints’ defense ranks towards the middle of the league in both passing yards allowed per game and PFF Pass Coverage Grade. This is the type of performance that inspires hope of better things to come for a New Orleans team lacking an identity, both on offense and defense. If they continue to receive games like this out of their young players and see a more consistent version of the talented Kool-Aid McKinstry, they could become known as one of the top coverage teams in the National Football League.

Demario Davis, Linebacker, 83.0 Tackle

The man wearing the green dot for the defense continues to prove his worth on the gridiron. Now 36-years-old with 14 seasons in the league, Davis is as impactful a leader and playmaker as ever. He led all players in total tackles with 10; the next highest Saints’ defender had seven. He recorded a zero percent missed tackle rate while playing 100 percent of the snaps.

This was the fourth time in seven games that Demario Davis recorded double-digit tackles. He is No. 8 in the NFL in tackles this year with 61. He is No. 13 in the history of the NFL with 1,454 combined tackles. Davis not only plays an important role for this team on the field, but he is a much-needed leader for a Saints team relying on a lot of younger guys to make plays.