By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — Going into Week 3, the New Orleans Saints had compiled 370 rushing yards, third best in the NFL. After Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans still holds a top-5 spot. However, that is far from indicative of the job that the Eagles did in limiting the Saints’ rushing attack which failed to reach 100 yards for the first time this season.
The Saints’ 89-yard rushing output was the lowest since Week 16 of the 2023 season where they amassed just 35 yards on the ground against the Los Angeles Rams. So how did Philadelphia do it? It came down to two key components:
- An active 6-and-1 front.
- Movement on the line such as stunts, twists and stems.
The 6-and-1 front:
This was the run defense look that held the #Saints‘ rushing attack at bay. Six at the line, one linebacker over the top. pic.twitter.com/xQG7OAbpIX
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) September 23, 2024
New Orleans has seen a lot of success running out of two-tight end and two-running back sets early in the season. The Eagles were prepared for that as they often countered New Orleans’ 12 (two tight ends), 21 (two running backs) and 22 (two tight ends and two running backs) sets by putting six defenders on the line of scrimmage with a lone linebacker over the top. Hence the “6-and-1” designation.
This challenged the Saints’ rushing efforts because it kept the Saints from being able to lock in on double teams across the line. Typically in a zone run scheme, teams will try to get multiple double-teams at the point of attack on the line of scrimmage. That way they can secure a lane, then one blocker can move to the second level. Having six defenders on the line keeps offenses from being able to get more than one double team engaged, taking away their ability to quickly climb to the linebackers.
Because of this, the offensive line for New Orleans was unable to create many opportunities for running back Alvin Kamara to have yards before contact. On one play from the Philadelphia 12-yard line, the offensive line was pushed back two yards at the snap. Meaning that Kamara was breaking through the first line of defense two yards behind the line of scrimmage. In previous games, he was gaining three, sometimes four, yards before crossing any defenders. The Eagle did a fantastic job limiting those opportunities.
Movement at the line:
In order to combat the six-man fronts, the Saints could have spent more time in 11 personnel (three wide receiver sets). The issue is that Philadelphia had a counter for that as well. With starting center Erik McCoy out after the third offensive play, it looked like the Saints struggled manning stunts and twists on the line.
Stunts and twists consist of plays where a defensive end may angle for an inside rush while a defensive tackle wraps around to the outside. Just one basic example of what can take on several different forms.
This movement again made it challenging to get double teams engaged. Similarly, the Eagles had a few examples of stems, or shifting the defensive line just before the snap, which increased the difficulty for New Orleans as well.
Saints tackle Landon Young clarified the challenge when asked if the stunting the Eagles had done made it tough to catch the double teams desired in the outside zone run game. “It does that,” he said. “It makes it hard to pick up the right assignments. You get a lot of picks and people getting cut off from being able to make their assignments and things like that.”
There were many challenges for the Saints throughout this game, including more in the run game. But from a film study perspective, the Eagles had the right game plan ready to attack and limit the Saints’ run game. Now New Orleans could see teams approach them similarly defending the run. At least those whose schemes and personnel can support it. Therefore the Saints must have an answer ready to address these looks and keep their run game going.
Without an effective ground game, the Saints offense as a whole was limited. Play action struggled. More straight drop backs from Derek Carr and less aggression from the Philadelphia defense made screen plays and draws that worked well the first two weeks less effective. The Saints called play action on just 29.6 percent of Carr’s dropbacks against the Eagles, down from 42.9 percent in the first two games. The ripple effect of wiping out the Saints’ run game had a major impact on their offense.
The Saints must identify what went wrong against the Eagles and adjust while also finding alternative ways to keep their offense churning, even if the run game is stifled. Something that could go a long way in helping them in these situations will be the quick pass game and moving the line of scrimmage off the ball. This would keep an opposing defense off-balance and allow New Orleans to build the rhythm they could not find against Philadelphia.
