Sunday’s matchup between the 4-10 New Orleans Saints and the 3-11 New York Jets might not carry playoff implications, but there’s still plenty on the line-especially when it comes to evaluating young talent and building momentum for the future. Both teams are near the bottom of the standings, but that doesn’t mean this game is without intrigue. In fact, for two franchises trying to lay the groundwork for next season and beyond, this kind of late-season clash can be more revealing than it looks on paper.
Saints Trending Up, Even in a Down Year
Let’s start with New Orleans. Despite a rough season overall, the Saints are riding a modest two-game win streak-both coming against division rivals in the NFC South. Last week’s 20-17 comeback win over Carolina showed some grit, and more importantly, signs of growth from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
Shough, a second-round pick, has had the kind of rookie season you’d expect from a young quarterback thrown into the fire-some bumps, some flashes, and lately, more consistency. He’s thrown for 1,484 yards with six touchdowns and five picks, and he’s added a bit of mobility to the offense with over 100 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but the progression is what matters most right now. And the Saints are seeing it.
His top target? Chris Olave, who’s quietly putting together another strong year.
With 82 catches for 896 yards and six touchdowns, Olave is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark-a milestone that would’ve felt impossible a year ago when no Saints receiver even cracked 600. He’s become the go-to guy for Shough and a clear bright spot in an offense that’s struggled to find rhythm for much of the year.
The run game, however, remains a concern. Alvin Kamara leads the team with just 471 rushing yards, which is more than double the next closest back.
Injuries have hit this position group hard-no Saints running back has played more than 11 games this season. Kamara’s been banged up himself, and the lack of continuity in the backfield has made it tough to establish any real ground presence.
Overall, the Saints’ offense ranks 26th in the league, averaging just under 297 yards and 16.1 points per game. That’s not going to win many shootouts, but it’s enough to stay competitive-especially when the defense holds up its end of the bargain.
Jets Still Searching for Answers
On the other side, the Jets limp into this game having dropped two straight, including a blowout 48-20 loss to Jacksonville last week. Their defense, which has been middle-of-the-road statistically-allowing 337.4 yards and 28.4 points per game-has struggled to create momentum-changing plays.
In fact, they’ve forced just three turnovers all year, all fumble recoveries. Not a single interception.
That’s a staggering stat in today’s NFL, and it’s one that should give Tyler Shough and the Saints’ passing game a little extra confidence heading into Sunday.
Still, the Jets do have some standout performers on defense. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood has been a tackling machine, racking up 129 stops-seventh-most in the league.
Up front, rookie edge rusher Will McDonald IV leads the team with seven sacks, doubling the total of the next closest Jet, linebacker Quincy Williams. There’s talent here, but it hasn’t translated into enough stops or takeaways to keep New York in games.
What to Watch on Sunday
This game is all about execution for New Orleans. If the Saints can take care of the football and finish drives with points, they’re in a good spot to secure their fifth win of the season. The Jets’ inability to generate turnovers or pressure consistently puts them at a disadvantage, especially against a quarterback like Shough who’s starting to settle in.
And while the playoffs are out of reach, these final few weeks matter. They matter for young quarterbacks trying to prove they’re the future.
They matter for coaching staffs evaluating who fits the long-term vision. And they matter for players like Olave and Kamara, who are still setting the tone for what this offense could become.
No, this isn’t a marquee matchup. But it’s a meaningful one-for two teams trying to build something better. And for New Orleans, this weekend could offer another step in the right direction.