The New Orleans Saints defeated the lowly Carolina Panthers to finally win after three straight losses.
Surprisingly, a weak NFC South overall has put this Saints squad in contention for the postseason. Though it is very much in reach, the Saints still need to show that they are capable of accomplishing anything during the postseason.
The Saints need four players to stand up going into their Week 15 game against the New York Giants in order to halt an NFC East team that is suddenly on the rise.
1. DL Nathan Shepherd
Nathan Shepherd, a defensive lineman, might be the Saints’ worst run defender. He has shown to be an asset to this defence. There are just nine eligible players in all of football who are worse at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. As of right now, they have ranked him 122 out of 131 for the entire season.
Saquon Barkley, one of the best running backs in football, is a big advantage for the Giants. Despite having one of the weakest offensive lines in the league, Barkley has been a key component of the offence, so New Orleans needs to be cautious.
The Saints have to either stick with Shepherd for the whole three years he agreed with them or eat some dead money if he decides not to sign, as he won’t be a free agency until 2026. For Shepherd, this last stretch run of the season is crucial because the division is still attainable.
