The New Orleans Saints open their 2026 regular season with a test against their run defense as they travel to take on the Detroit Lions.
Although running back David Montgomery made his way to the Houston Texans over the offseason, the Lions can still rely on their top running back Jahmyr Gibbs to be his usual playmaking self both in the run game and passing game.
It will be his production on the ground, however, that will be the most pertinent to slow down if the Saints are to hold on as road underdogs headed into the matchup.
Gibbs is often seen as an in-space, zone rusher that can catch the corner of any defense and generate explosive runs. While that is true, he also had one of the highest explosive run percentages (11.8%) in the NFL last season, per Fantasy Points’ data tracking.
He’s a threat to break the run game wide open at any point, from any point of attack.
That makes the job of the Saints’ defensive front a challenging one, especially when Gibbs is now expected to be the bellcow back in Detroit, earning an increase in touches and not having to split time in the backfield as often as he has in the past.
Saints edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson will be charged with setting the edge in the run game, which gets a little easier with a less-mobile quarterback like Jared Goff, while interior defenders like Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd and Christen Miller will all contribute to clogging the middle, where the team is down its starting safety.
But the second level of the Saints’ defense may end up being the most important layer of run stopping potential. Linebackers Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman will be integral in neutralizing Gibbs by shooting gaps confidently and securing tackles on first contact.
Werner’s 15.4% missed tackle rate in 2025 will be under a microscope for that very purpose. Meanwhile, Elliss and Stutsman will look to carry over their 6.1% and 5.4% missed tackle rates respectively from last season. Maintaining tackling efficiency is a must for New Orleans across the linebacking corps.
Detroit secured the No. 8 rushing offense in yards before contact last season, a trend they’re expected to continue in 2026. If the Saints can combat that from the early goings of their matchup to start the season, they could quickly set the tone in their favor.
The team with the most successful rushing attack will dictate the terms of the game. In order for the Saints to emerge victorious, limiting Detroit’s attack will have to be its top priority.
