Saints RB Audric Estimé should see bulk of carries at Atlanta

Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints have learned a lot about themselves in recent weeks. They’ve learned that the quarterback of the future is very much in the build with rookie Tyler Shough. They’ve learned that the focus on togetherness and culture has paid off, and they’ve also learned that second-year running back Audric Estimé deserves more touches.

Okay, maybe the Tennessee Titans game in Week 17 was more so the first indication of that final point, but it’s clear that Estimé should be a big part of the Saints’ gameplan on Sunday as they wrap up their season against the division rival Atlanta Falcons.

Estimé ran for a career-high 94 yards in last week’s win over the Titans. 88 of those rushing yards came in the second half.

As the team prepares to take on the No. 26-ranked rushing defense in the NFL, it would make sense for head coach Kellen Moore to lean in on the run game a bit more in the final week of the season. For Estimé, the notion has been in the making since signing with the team late in the season.

“It’s just really my consistency in practice,” the running back recalled when asked what stood out to coaches to give him extended game opportunities. “Just making sure that they know that I know what I’m doing on third down, which has become a big factor in my game. You’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback and just be able to grow every week. And that’s what I pride myself in, being able to grow every year, every week. And I feel like that’s what I did.”

That certainly showed during the game in Nashville, Tenn. As Estimé saw more carries, he only became more effective. It’s exactly that kind of dedication to the rushing attack that the Saints should again run through Estimé in their closing action against the Falcons.

The Falcons are 4-8 in the 12 games in which they have allowed a team to rush for over 100 yards against them.

The Saints should be aiming to add another loss to that ledger by running the offense’s ground attack through Estimé in Week 18.