NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 15 Preview: Jets at Saints

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown against cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)

The New York Jets visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 of the 2017 NFL season. PFF previews the top player matchups of the game.

PFFELO Ranking: 27

Coverage by: Cyrus Geller

Matchup: New York Jets offense vs. New Orleans Saints defense

Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver, New York Jets

PFFELO Ranking: 5

Coverage by: Andrew Fleischer

Matchup: New Orleans Saints offense vs. New York Jets defense

  • RB Mark Ingram vs. LB Darron Lee – When looking purely at run snaps, Ingram has slightly out-snapped Alvin Kamara over the past four weeks, which should continue down the stretch. Ingram has 12 runs of 15-plus yards for a breakaway percentage of 37.8 that’s fifth among 24 running backs with at least 142 attempts. He’s also been excellent as a receiver, as his 1.47 yards per route run is tied for 21st among qualifying running backs. Lee presents an exploitable matchup at linebacker. Lee’s gotten a run stop on 8.3 percent of his snaps, a figure that ties him for 26th among 53 qualifying inside linebackers, and he’s been an average-level tackler. His 12.8 tackle efficiency rating against the run is 40th among 76 eligible inside linebackers.
  • WR Michael Thomas vs. CB Darryl Roberts – Michael Thomas’ continued stellar play has earned him an 89.3 overall grade, now fifth among 116 qualifying wide receivers. He still hasn’t dropped a pass since Week 4, and his 2.3 drop rate is now third among 32 wide receivers with at least 76 targets this season. Thomas has spent the majority of his snaps as the left wide receiver, so he will line up against cornerback Darryl Roberts, who’s spent the majority of his coverage snaps as the right cornerback over the past few games. Roberts has allowed the 10th-most yards per snap in coverage, and he’s been targeted regularly, as his 5.6 cover snaps per target ties him for the 12th-most frequently targeted qualifying cornerback.

Michael Thomas, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit