Chase Young breakout game was hidden underneath a bad loss for Saints

The New Orleans Saints lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, only scoring three points to the Bucs' 23. Defensive end Chase Young managed to stand out despite the loss.

On the afternoon, Young gathered four tackles, one and a half sacks, and one forced fumble. He also had three quarterback pressures. Following the loss, he was asked if he stepped into what was needed for the defense. "Honestly I'm just going out there and playing my game," Young

would respond. "I ain't trying to step in, fit in, or nothing. I'm just playing."

His season debut was just a few weeks ago, and he's already managed to become one of the top guys at his position. When ignoring the minimum snap count, Young is having one of the highest-graded seasons out of any defensive end, per Pro Football Focus.

Saints DE Chase Young has been shining to start his 2025 season

Young would make his 2025 debut at home against the New England Patriots and has been playing exceptionally well since, averaging 3.6 pressures, one sack, and one tackle per game. One game after the other has been better, each week earning a higher grade of pro football focus than the last. This week, he earned a grade of 88.7, 2.6 points higher than the previous week's grade of 86.1, which was higher than his grade in his season debut, an 85.1.

The start to Chase Young's fifth year in the National Football League definitely started later than the defensive end would've liked. During the week leading up to the first game of the season Young would suffer a calf injury. Initially called "nothing major" by head coach Kellen Moore, the defensive end would end up missing the first five games of the season.

Heading into week nine, Young now has a chance to improve even further, this time on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Stroud’s Path Clears as Broncos Secondary Takes a Hit

Coming off what Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called “one of his best games,” C.J. Stroud received good news to start Week 9.

Injuries are unfortunate, and the Texans are no stranger to enduring their own losses. Still, the recent news coming from the Denver Broncos before their visit to face Stroud and the Texans bodes well for the third-year QB.

Stroud must still take advantage of the situation.

Broncos’ Loss Good News for C.J. Stroud, Texans

Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II – an All-Pro, a Pro Bowler, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year – will miss facing Stroud and the Texans due to a pectoral strain incurred in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The exact severity of the injury is unclear, though he could land on injured reserve, and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported Surtain is “expected to miss 4–6 weeks.”

Week 9 is all that matters for Stroud and the Texans.

Stroud threw for a season-high 319 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception on 76.9% completion against the 49ers in Week 8. He has a 1,623-11-5 line on 66.8% completion this season, and his job in Week 9 presumably got much easier.

The Broncos are 6-2, have won five straight games, and boast the NFL’s top pass rush with 36 sacks and are fifth in scoring.

C.J. Stroud Will Have Opportunities Against Broncos Secondary

Stroud made a point to cite spreading the ball around and getting it out of his hands as keys to his success against the San Francisco 49ers. On paper, the Broncos present a rather intimidating challenge.

They are allowing a league-low 56.8% completion in pass coverage.

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss is the most targeted defender in the league, and he has the lowest completion percentage allowed of any defender targeted at least 40 times in coverage at 45.3%, per Pro Football Focus.

However, nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian (69% on 20 targets) and second-year fifth-round selection Kris Abrams-Draine (100% on five targets) could prove vulnerable.

The Broncos do have Jahdae Barron, the 20th overall selection in the 2025 draft.

He has allowed six receptions on 12 targets this season and recorded his first career interception in Week 8 against the Cowboys. If Barron draws the start or plays more than Abrams-Draine, Stroud and the Texans could still have options elsewhere against the Broncos.

Moreover, Stroud and the Texans could do more than benefit from a subtraction by the Broncos.

Nico Collins ‘Trending Toward Return’ vs Broncos

Stroud was without his top two wide receivers against the 49ers, with Christian Kirk sidelined with a hamstring injury and Nico Collins in concussion protocol.

Ryans offered little in his day-after media availability.

However, there was encouraging news, with KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reporting in a post on X on October 27 – after Ryans’ comments – that, “Collins, per source, is doing well and trending toward return at this point.”

That Stroud performed as he did without Collins should bode well for the Texans when the 2024 Pro Bowler returns to the field.

If that is Week 9, it is even more encouraging for Stroud and the Texans than Surtain’s absence.

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