Tyler Shough, Saints passing game hold key to beating Dolphins

After a home loss to rival Atlanta last week, a reeling New Orleans Saints squad limps into Week 13 for an away game against the Miami Dolphins. The Saints come in with a 2-9 record after that loss. Miami is only a little better at 4-7, but won two straight and three of four games before last week's bye.

New Orleans ranks a pathetic 31st in points scored, managing over 20 offensive points in only one game. They rank 26th in total yardage as rookie Tyler Shough prepares to make his fourth start at quarterback. Shough will face a Miami defense that ranks 25th overall. The Saints have had no success running the football and have had to lean more on their limited passing attack. Unfortunately for them, this is where Miami's defense has had more of their success.

Dolphins Pass Defense

• 207.2 yards per game (12th)

• 72.9% completion percentage

• 18 touchdowns (19th)

• 3 interceptions (30th)

• 21 sacks

• 48 QB hits

Miami has done well against opposing quarterbacks in terms of yardage, surrendering only one 300-yard passer and two more of more than 250 yards. However, the Dolphins have allowed nearly 73% completion percentage and 10 pass catchers to gain at least 60 yards, though only one 100-yard receiver.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the few standouts in a Dolphins secondary that has only 3 interceptions. Fitzpatrick, a proven playmaker, has one of those, along with a team-high 6 passes broken up. Cornerback Jack Jones is Miami's best is coverage and has an interception along with 5 pass breakups while giving up a 54.5% completion rate. Veteran Rasul Douglas is allowing a 58% completion rate and also has 5 passes broken up. The rest of the defensive backfield has given up a lot of throws in front of them, but has done a decent job at not allowing many big plays over the top.

Dolphins linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson are strong downhill blitzers on the inside and have a combined 6.5 sacks. In coverage, they aren't great athletes in man-to-man duties but show good awareness in zone drops. Still, the Miami linebackers and defensive backs have struggled in the intermediate levels.

Miami is built to rush the passer up front with outstanding athleticism on the edge. Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon, and Chop Robinson all have excellent speed around the corner and a good spin counter to get inside. Chubb leads the team with 5 sacks and 13 QB hits. Robinson has been quiet after a solid rookie year with 1 sack and 6 pressures, but is capable of creating havoc in the backfield. The Dolphins need more from veteran Judon, who has been extremely productive throughout a 10-year career, has no sacks and only one official pressure this year.

Saints Passing Attack

• 205.3 yards per game (20th)

• 66% completion percentage

• 11 touchdowns (29th)

• 9 interceptions (21st)

• 28 sacks

Rookie second round pick Tyler Shough has had many impressive moments in his three games as a starter. He hasn't had a lot of help around him and has been a victim of poor play-calling and designs, but has shown the ability to move the team down the field. Shough has good enough mobility to escape pressure and can make accurate throws all over the field. His decision-making has been sound, but he is still a rookie going into his fourth start.

New Orleans needs to do a better job of protecting their quarterback. Rookie Kelvin Banks has been mostly excellent at left tackle, though coming off perhaps his worst outing of the year. Taliese Fuaga returns from injury at right tackle, giving the Saints a strong pair of edge blockers. It's on the inside where the biggest issues remain. Right guard Cesar Ruiz has been a joke, often giving defenders a free pass into the backfield. Center Luke Fortner and left guard Dillon Radunz have been a little better, but not by much. Opponents will continue to blitz and stunt the Saints on the inside because they've done little to show that they can stop it.

Running back Alvin Kamara will miss this game with knee and ankle injuries. This robs Shough of a skilled pass catcher out of the backfield, though you wouldn't know it by the way coach Kellen Moore calls plays. Rookie sixth round choice Devin Neal is likely to get the start. Neal has been outstanding in picking up the blitz and had some nice gains after short passes against Atlanta. Audric Estime could also get some looks out of the backfield. So could Taysom Hill, if Kellen Moore is reminded by someone that Hill has the versatility to threaten defenses in several different ways.

Chris Olave represents the bulk of the New Orleans passing attack. Olave has 69 receptions and 734 yards on 108 targets, but averages only 10.6 per catch and hasn't made enough difference in the red zone. Devaughn Vele is finally getting more involvement in the game plan, but has only 9 catches for 91 yards. He needs to get more intermediate looks to open up things for Shough on the outside and down the field. Look for Mason Tipton to be more involved also. Tipton caught his first three passes of the season against the Falcons for 22 yards, but is extremely elusive after the catch. Shough doesn't have enough weapons but Olave, Vele, and Tipton are capable of making plays in the open field.

Tight end Juwan Johnson could be a crucial weapon against Miami. The Dolphins have struggled to defend tight ends, allowing four to gain over 60 yards receiving. Johnson has had issues with drops and disappears for frustrating stretches, but can be a matchup problem for defenses. He has 49 receptions for 537 yards on 67 targets, second to Olave in all three categories.

Miami gives up a lot of shorter passes. The Saints would be wise to get Shough into a groove with quick throws to Olave, Johnson, Vele, and Tipton. Shough's accuracy could allow these plays to create additional yards after the catch, while also slowing the pass rush and possibly opening up double moves for bigger plays later in the game.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Tyler Shough, Saints passing game hold key to beating Dolphins