As the New Orleans Saints head to Nashville for a Week 17 matchup with the 3-12 Tennessee Titans, the stakes aren’t about playoff seeding or division titles-it’s about the future. Both teams are staring down a top-of-the-draft finish, and while that may not sound glamorous, these late-season games still carry weight for players trying to prove their value and teams evaluating who’s part of the long-term plan.
One name that’s quietly become a key piece for the Saints this season? Defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd. With Bryan Bresee likely sidelined due to a knee injury, Shepherd is stepping into a larger role-and based on what he’s shown lately, he’s more than capable of handling it.
In last week’s win over the Jets, Shepherd put together one of his most complete performances of the season. He finished with two tackles (one solo), two pressures, a stop, and a strip sack that was recovered by Chase Young.
That effort earned him an 81.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including a standout 90.3 mark in pass-rushing. That’s elite territory, especially for an interior lineman who’s often doing the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score.
With Bresee out-he’s second on the team with 30 pressures-Shepherd will be asked to carry more of the load up front. He currently ranks fifth on the team with 26 pressures, and while the sack total (three on the year) might not jump off the page, his impact goes well beyond that. He’s been consistently disruptive, collapsing pockets and forcing quarterbacks off their spots.
That kind of presence could be a real problem for a Titans offensive line that’s been one of the league’s most porous. Tennessee has allowed 51 sacks this season, tied for third-most in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has taken his share of hits, and if the Saints can generate pressure up the middle, it could throw off the timing of an already struggling offense.
At 32 years old, Shepherd isn’t the flashiest name on the Saints’ defense. He’s not going to dominate highlight reels or stir up much buzz in the national media.
But ask anyone in that locker room, and they’ll tell you how important he is to what they do up front. His veteran presence, physicality, and ability to win one-on-one matchups have made him a steady force on the interior.
As the Saints look to close out the season strong-and potentially play spoiler to a Titans team still trying to find its footing-don’t be surprised if Shepherd is once again in the middle of the action. With more eyes on him in Bresee’s absence, this is a chance for him to remind everyone just how valuable he’s been all year.