Bryce Young has historically struggled against the New Orleans Saints. But one player, in particular, seems to really bother the Carolina Panthers quarterback.
Enter Alontae Taylor.
“I think I just prepare the right way,” the Saints cornerback said, referring to his success over Carolina and not Young directly. “I feel very comfortable knowing their receivers. I feel very comfortable with knowing their scheme, knowing their formations. And (I’m) just very confident in our defensive calls.”
Taylor’s best games throughout his four-year career have largely come against the Panthers and he’ll try to match that again Sunday when the Saints host Carolina. Since 2022, the 27-year-old has recorded 29 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception when facing Carolina. He has especially bothered Young, who has a 75.1 passer rating when targeting Taylor on 23 of 35 passing for 174 yards, one touchdown and an interception, according to Pro Football Focus.
While that’s higher than Young’s overall passing rating against New Orleans (61.1 in five games), Taylor has come up huge in critical moments. His fourth-quarter interception in last month’s meeting, for instance, set up a game-clinching touchdown from New Orleans’ offense. He had another pivotal stop on third-and-1, too.
Taylor also notably had three sacks on Young in last year’s season-opening win over the Panthers.
Young is 1-4 against New Orleans since he was drafted first overall in 2023.
“There’s some intangibles with that, where sometimes you just play well against a team and you feel it go the right way,” defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said. “You’re one game away from feeling humbled in this league — I know that as well. All of us. You’ve just got to take that for what it’s worth.
“But Alontae, when he’s played at his best … is when he keeps it simple, when he plays his game, when he stays within himself because then the quality really shows up to everybody.”