Saints key to a winning streak falls in the laps of their cornerbacks
Posted October 11, 2025
The defense of the New Orleans Saints just can't catch a break this season. This week's challenge comes in the form of Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte versus Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, , a four-time Pro Bowler and a promising third-year WR vs. the NFC Defensive Player of the Week and a rookie.
After finally winning their first game of the season, the Saints set to face off against the New England Patriots, who just took down the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills. Both teams are coming off of a high and are looking to avoid the let down. This matchup will be a pivotal factor in who achieves their goal.
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is certainly aware of the dangers that Diggs could bring on the afternoon. "His superpower is that he can speed you up; he can make you feel like he's faster than what he really is." Staley said to the media. "His stop-start is elite, and it always has been. It's like guarding James Harden. I don't think Hardan's that fast, but he can make you feel that way, and he's able to create that separation."
The Patriots WRs vs. the Saints CBs battle is one part of the long history between Brandon Staley and Josh McDaniels
In addition to the matchup between the Patriots' wide receivers and the Saints' cornerbacks, this marks the eighth time that New England's offensive coordinator and New Orleans' defensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels and Brandon Staley, have faced each other.
So far through the seven games against each other, it's McDaniels that has the edge, with four victories to Staley's three. However, despite what the record says, Staley was able to outscore McDaneils 167-152.
On Thursday, McDaniels was quick to shout out the Saints' defensive coordinator. "Coach Staley does a great job. He's done a great job ever since he took the stuff from Vic (Fangio), and he's kind of got his own flavor of these things he does schematically. They're playing really well in a lot of phases, physical front, very tough, big guys on the edge."
The players know that this upcoming game won't be easy; just take Diggs' word for it. "It's super important we turn the page, considering the New Orleans Saints is a really good football team,” he said to the media. “I know their record might not show it, but they’re very skillful up front and in the back end. To be honest, it might be a bigger test than last week, just as far as having success and being able to replicate that process or do it all over again and work equally as hard and pay attention to detail and focus."
Dan Campbell Calls Chiefs the ‘Blueprint’ for Lions’ Future Success
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has built the team from the ground up, rebuilding almost the entire roster and turning a bottom-dwelling team into a Super Bowl contender.
Campbell said this week’s opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, have written the blueprint for what he wants his team to become. The Lions coach outlined the challenge of playing the Chiefs even despite their early-season struggles.
Dan Campbell Calls Chiefs the NFL’s Model of Success
Campbell shared some effusive praise for the Chiefs this week, noting that he has seen firsthand how difficult it is to build a contending team and keep them near the top every season. The Lions have won the NFC North in two straight seasons, but the Chiefs have won their division for nine consecutive years and reached the Super Bowl for three straight seasons.
“To be able to come back year in and year out and stay hungry, stay competitive, do the right things, don’t get complacent, eliminate entitlement when you’ve been a champion over and over, I think that takes a special kind of group, a special kind of coaching staff, special kind of leadership, players, the whole thing,” Campbell said, via The Athletic. “And so, what they’ve done is special. Same (as) all those years New England had with Brady and Belichick.”
Campbell added that he has a lot of respect for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and what he has built in Kansas City. The Lions coach added that he’s not taking the team lightly despite their struggles through a 2-3 start.
“That is so difficult to do, and so I’ve got the utmost respect for those guys. And that’s why they’re never out of it,” Campbell said. “They’re always going to have a chance because they have that makeup. They have that winner’s makeup, that champion’s makeup.”
Lions quarterback Jared Goff backed his coach’s comments, praising the Chiefs for their ability to stay at the top of the NFL for so long.
“That’s certainly number one is the consistency over time,” Goff said. “I don’t know how many in a row — AFC championships. It’s incredible. And it’s hard to reload every year after playing a long season like that. So I think that’s what you respect most is their ability over almost a decade now to reload every offseason and come back ready to go.”
Lions Face Big Opportunity
The Lions have a chance for a statement game against the Chiefs, just as their win in Kansas City in the 2023 season put them on the map as a Super Bowl contender. The Chiefs have struggled on offense and still have another week before a major piece of their passing attack — wide receiver Rashee Rice — returns from his six-game suspension.
The Lions stumbled out of the gate this season, losing to the Green Bay Packers in the season opener, but have reeled off four straight wins and have returned to the top of the division. A win over the Chiefs could give them even more space.
