The New Orleans Saints head into Sunday with the kind of game that can turn a season in a hurry. At 1-3, they meet the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, and the result could either drag them right back into the NFC South conversation or leave them well outside the postseason picture.
What stands out most right now is how shaky the Saints have looked on defense, especially against the run. New faces are carrying major responsibilities, and the lack of continuity has already shown up on the field.
Bob Rose of Saints Wire didn’t mince words when he assessed what’s gone wrong through four games.
"This doesn't even closely resemble the defense that coordinator Brandon Staley put on the field last season. Very few teams are softer against the run than the Saints, as opponents have had their way with them on the ground.
The defensive line has gotten virtually zero push in the middle as pass rushers and gets moved around easily in the running game. A lack of depth here is astonishing, but starters Vernon Broughton and Nathan Shepherd have made no difference, while rookie second round pick Christen Miller simply cannot stay healthy and in the lineup.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf) is about to miss his second straight game. Elliss has been the second best player on a struggling defense.
Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman are both extremely limited in coverage or in pursuit, leaving the team vulnerable to off-tackle runs or passes in their direction. Inexplicably, athletic linebacker Isaiah Stalbird doesn't see the field defensively after making several plays in limited action during 2025.
Even with Elliss, opponents have been able to run straight at New Orleans."
That’s the warning sign for New Orleans. The Vikings arrive at 4-0, and the Saints know they have to find answers fast if they want to stay alive in the race.
There is at least one bright spot: the offense. New Orleans has an explosive, consistent unit that has played at a playoff level, and a lot of that success has come from second-year starting quarterback Tyler Shough.
In Other News...
Former Saints Kicker Suddenly Has A New Chance To Prove Himself
Harrison Mevis brief run with the Rams ended after their Week 5 loss to the Bills, when Los Angeles moved on from the kicker and made a change that carries a familiar name for Saints followers. The Rams turned to Blake Grupe, adding him to the active roster from the Jets practice squad as they continue sorting out the position.
For New Orleans, it is another reminder of how quickly the kicker market can turn, especially for a former Saints specialist trying to get back into the mix. Grupe has already worked through stops with the Saints and Colts before landing on the Jets practice squad, and now he gets another chance with a team that clearly needed help in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Face A Telling Week 6 Test With Skid Suddenly Growing
A Week 6 meeting with the Giants arrives at a tricky moment for the Saints, who are trying to steady themselves after a rough stretch and avoid letting the season tilt any further. Even with New Orleans listed as a slight road favorite, the numbers around this matchup speak to how uneven the start has been, especially with the defense failing to make life easier and the overall performance trending in the wrong direction.
The Giants bring their own storyline into the game, staying atop the NFC East after a tie with Washington while Jameis Winston remains under center because of Jaxson Darts injury. For the Saints, the bigger question is how they respond on both sides of the ball, because the recent offensive sputter has left little margin for error against a New York defense that has been forcing mistakes and looking opportunistic. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Pressure Just Reached Gayle Bensons Level
The early-season frustration around the Saints has now reached the top of the organization, with owner Gayle Benson using a public appearance to make clear how dissatisfied she is with the teams 1-4 start. Speaking at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Luncheon, Benson put the spotlight on coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis, making it plain that the results have fallen short of what the franchise expects.
Benson also framed the issue as one of accountability, saying she shares responsibility for making sure the organization is held to a higher standard. For a team trying to steady itself after a rough opening stretch, the message carried obvious weight, especially with the owner signaling that the current level of performance cannot simply be absorbed as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]