The New Orleans Saints rode a roller-coaster during their Week 14 game with the San Francisco 49ers, not helped by several injuries hitting the deepest position group on the team: the defensive line. Two defensive ends (Marcus Davenport and Trey Hendrickson) and starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins each missed time against San Francisco while dealing with various injuries, creating some atypical snap counts. Here’s our unit-by-unit breakdown.
Offensive backfield
- QB Drew Brees, 68 (94%)
- RB Alvin Kamara, 55 (76%)
- QB Taysom Hill, 28 (39%)
- RB Latavius Murray, 24 (33%)
- DT Mario Edwards Jr., 1 (1%)
Short-handed at fullback (starter Zach Line was inactive with a knee injury) the Saints used Edwards in that capacity on one goal-to-go play. Hill got the most run of his NFL career, appearing on a personal-best 28 plays on offense and 31 on special teams. Kamara outsnapped Murray by a wide margin, which is concerning given how much better Murray has played than him in recent weeks.
Skills positions
- WR Michael Thomas, 70 (97%)
- TE Josh Hill, 62 (86%)
- WR Tre’Quan Smith, 56 (78%)
- WR Ted Ginn Jr., 42 (58%)
- TE Jared Cook, 8 (11%)
- WR Deonte Harris, 7 (10%)
- WR Krishawn Hogan, 5 (7%)
Cook was a big part of the Saints’ game plan in this one (as seen by his two touchdown catches in the opening minutes) but a concussion forced him out of the picture, and that meant a huge snap count for his backup. The Saints got more production out of their receiving corps than has been normal for this season, so hopefully they can continue helping out. Harris deserves more touches on offense.
Offensive line
- C Erik McCoy, 72 (100%)
- T Ryan Ramczyk, 72 (100%)
- G Larry Warford, 72 (100%)
- G Nick Easton, 72 (100%)
- T Terron Armstead, 72 (100%)
- G Patrick Omameh, 6 (8%)
Armstead deserves a ton of credit for playing this game (and playing well) despite dealing with a very painful high-ankle sprain. He held up against a talented 49ers pass rush after missing the last two games. Easton has continued to do his part as a fill-in at left guard and could be playing his way into lead position for the starting job next year. Ramczyk was seriously challenged for the first time this season by Nick Bosa; the rookie defensive end gave the Saints’ All-Pro candidate more than he could handle at times, which is more than can be said by a group that includes Khalil Mack, J.J. Watt, Shaquil Barrett, and Jadeveon Clowney.
Special teams
- QB Taysom Hill, 31 (84%)
- LB Stephone Anthony, 31 (84%)
- CB Justin Hardee, 31 (84%)
- S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 26 (70%)
- CB Johnson Bademosi, 26 (70%)
- RB Dwayne Washington, 23 (62%)
- S J.T. Gray, 22 (59%)
- WR Krishawn Hogan, 21 (57%)
- DE Trey Hendrickson, 20 (54%)
Craig Robertson was called up to start at linebacker for the first time this season, which meant the Saints pulled their special teams captain off of the punt and kickoff units so he could focus on that responsibility. The core group of players they’ve built around him responded well with their leader on the sidelines, and did a lot to create lanes for electric rookie returner Deonte Harris.
Defensive line
- DE Cameron Jordan, 64 (96%)
- DT David Onyemata, 47 (70%)
- DE Trey Hendrickson, 35 (52%)
- NT Malcom Brown, 34 (51%)
- DT Shy Tuttle, 31 (46%)
- DE Marcus Davenport, 23 (34%)
- DT Mario Edwards Jr., 12 (25%)
- DT Sheldon Rankins, 9 (13%)
Injuries struck this group hardest, taking Davenport and Rankins out of the game and slowing down Hendrickson. At least the Saints have quality depth to lean on with players like Edwards getting sacks and Tuttle proving to be more than a one-hit wonder after his wonderful stiff-arm on Matt Ryan on Thanksgiving. Onyemata is doing a lot to question any doubts he’ll get in free agency in the spring as to whether he can be a full-time player rather than part of a rotation.
Linebackers
- LB Demario Davis, 67 (100%)
- LB Craig Robertson, 67 (100%)
- LB Stephone Anthony, 17 (25%)
Robertson was forced into extended action for the first time this year, and there can’t be too many complaints given his performance. Yes, he was repeatedly targeted in coverage and overran his run fits, but the Saints didn’t have any better options. And the second half-opening interception he recovered off of a tipped pass can’t be understated. Here’s hoping Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein will be able to return soon.
Defensive secondary
- S Vonn Bell, 67 (100%)
- CB Marshon Lattimore, 67 9100%)
- S Marcus Williams, 67 (100%)
- CB Eli Apple, 67 (100%)
- CB P.J. Williams, 37 (55%)
- S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 26 (39%)
This unit under-performed against San Francisco, and it won’t change significantly this year. Apple and Williams are entrenched in their positions at cornerback and free safety, and the Saints do not have better options, no matter how vocal fans may wish for it. Williams is the only player on the team with multiple interceptions this season (he’s bagged four) and has played much better than the public may perceive him. His ugly moments in this game don’t tell his whole story, but they are a humbling experience for him to learn from.
