Saints at Jets: Key Matchups in Week 14

The New Orleans Saints try to break the losing streak this week at the New York Jets. The Jets of recent years have been “get right” games for many teams and the Saints will look to continue this tradition. Taysom Hill gets his second start of the year but his health is already an issue. Hill should do better this week in his second game. The Saints defense will have to not look past the Jets as there are playmakers who can change the game in one play on the team. These are the key matchups that could determine the outcome of the Saints Week 14 matchup.

Secondary versus Jets Receivers

The unknown of how the Jets will attack the Saints could be an issue this week. Corey Davis recently was injured for the year. Elijah Moore is hurt as well but could still play. This leaves many unknowns for the defensive game plan. It is much easier to plan when receivers play in their normal positions. Jamison Crowder and Elijah Moore will now likely get a huge bump in playtime this week. Crowder has averaged five targets per game in the last three. Moore has averaged a whopping 10 targets per game. These two will be heavily involved in the Jets game plan.

For the Saints defense, the secondary will have to play disciplined football. The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson will help the team. Marshon Lattimore can be counted on to bring a big play or two to the team each week. Bradley Roby has played better in recent weeks as he learns the Saints defense. Marcus Williams and Malcolm Jenkins will need to play better though. Williams was embarrassed for missing a tackle again this week against Tony Pollard. Meanwhile, Jenkins is allowing the most yards per completion in the past four years of his career. The unit will have to gel this week and going forward.

Taysom Hill versus Finger Stint

Taysom Hill had a decent first start last week. The issue was his hand and finger injury suffered early in the game. Hill’s throwing took a noticeable hit after the injury. Not being able to move the middle finger will definitely change a throwing motion. Hill and the Saints medical staff have had 10 days to figure out the best treatment and therapy to keep Hill in games. Of course, there is no true way to know how Hill’s hand will respond during a game, but the Saints will do everything they can leading up to the game. The extended time off will help as well.

The Saints offense looked more dynamic when Hill was rushing the ball against the Cowboys but there has to be some threat from Hill throwing the ball to keep defenses from stacking the box. If Hill is forced out of the game with this injury, it is likely that he will have to have surgery to fix the issue, ending his season. Sadly, this will likely end the Saints hunt for the playoffs since Trevor Siemian would take back over at quarterback.

Saints versus Covid-19

It seems as if the Saints are undergoing another outbreak of Covid. Mark Ingram, Ty Montgomery, and Cameron Jordan have all been placed on the Covid-19 list this week. All three of these players are contributors to the team in various ways. Montgomery would likely have seen an uptick in playtime with the recent suspension of Deonte Harris. With Alvin Kamara set to return this week, the Saints would have had a fully healthy backfield again. It seems as if the virus has other plans though.

It should not be ignored that this outbreak is right after the Saints faced a Dallas Cowboys team that also had issues right before their game in Week 13. It is impossible to know how or who it was spread at this point, but all teams should face discipline for negligently spreading the virus.

Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, on Instagram @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel.