Taliese Fuaga is headed for another defining test, and this one comes with a heavyweight name attached. The Saints need him to stand up to T.J. Watt if they want any real chance of leaving Paris with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fuaga has already shown he can handle this kind of assignment. The last premier matchup he faced came against Maxx Crosby, and he more than held his own against the All Pro.
Against a Raiders pass rush that ranked among the league’s best, New Orleans kept things under control for three quarters, and when Vegas finally started landing punches, Crosby still wasn’t the one getting home to the quarterback. Fuaga came out of that battle allowing just 1 hurry and 1 QB hit.
That kind of showing would go a long way again here. Fuaga also kept Myles Garrett off the stat sheet completely as a rookie, which makes it fair to say he tends to rise when the spotlight is brightest. He’s coming off a strong performance against the Giants, and the Saints need that level of play again.
The challenge now is Watt, one of the best defensive players of this era. He has lined up some over the left tackle spot, but most of his snaps have come on the offense’s right side. That leaves Asim Richards as a major concern as well, but this is Fuaga’s matchup.
Watt’s recent production has been quieter than usual. He was held off the stat sheet entirely two weeks ago against the Colts, then finished with only two tackles in an overtime game against the Buccaneers.
Even so, Pittsburgh won both of those games, which tells you something important: the Steelers don’t need Watt to dominate in order to win. But when he does break through, he can flip a game fast.
That’s the danger for New Orleans. Watt only needs one clean shot to change everything, and once he gets to the quarterback, he has a reputation for making the kind of impact play that swings the biggest moments.
He’s especially dangerous at knocking the ball loose, and any time he gets to Shough, a forced fumble is in play. An injured hand only adds to that concern for the quarterback.
Fuaga can do his job for three quarters, even for 55 minutes, and the unease will still be there. That’s the reality with Watt.
He’s been that kind of closer for years, the player who seems to turn things up when the game reaches its biggest moments. Fourth quarters have long been his stage.
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Saints Face A Brutal Tyler Shough Test They Cant Ignore
Tyler Shough has given the Saints enough flashes as a passer to make the future look intriguing, but the bigger question has always been what happens once the pocket starts collapsing. The issue has followed him from college into the NFL, and it puts a clear spotlight on New Orleans protection up front, especially at tackle and with Asim Richards among the linemen expected to help stabilize that group.
Sundays matchup with the Steelers is a tough place to find answers. Pittsburgh brings a defense built to speed quarterbacks up and disrupt timing, which is why Kellen Moore is expected to lean on quicker throws to help Shough stay on schedule. Even so, this feels like the kind of game that will say a lot about how far the Saints have come in protecting their quarterback, and how much work still remains. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Running Game Just Drew An Ugly Giants Response
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For New Orleans, the takeaway is simple enough: the ground game exposed a soft spot that has been a problem for the Giants all season. Their run defense has lingered near the bottom of the league in several categories, and Wilson is now trying to force a reset before the next stretch of games. Whether that message translates into cleaner tackling and better pursuit is the next question, but it is clear the Saints left behind a frustrated opponent as well as a win. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Paris Game Is Becoming Something Much Bigger For Louisiana
Jeff Landrys trip to Paris for the Saints game on Oct. 25 is turning into more than a football stop. The Louisiana governor is joining the New Orleans-based team overseas as part of a push to draw French business to the state, and he is doing it with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development in tow. The agenda includes meetings and seminars aimed at showcasing Louisianas economic openings, with particular attention on the power grid and healthcare sectors.
The state also is leaning on familiar branding to make its pitch, bringing back the Louisiana NOW pavilion that had been used during the New Orleans Super Bowl. It gives Louisiana a ready-made stage to connect with French business leaders during a week when plenty of eyes will already be on the Saints. For Landry, the game itself is only part of the opportunity, with the larger goal centered on turning an international sports trip into an economic one. [Read more 🡒]