The New Orleans Saints have their work cut out for them in their Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. After failing their first major of limiting Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the defense now has to matchup against the league’s best rusher in Baltimore Ravens back Derrick Henry.
To be fair, most teams struggle when it comes to limiting these two backs and the Saints’ rushing defense would just be the latest victims of both attacks if things don’t improve for their matchup with the Ravens.
Last year’s rushing defense statistics were misleading on a gross scale, with the team ranking No. 19 in total rushing yards allowed. However, on a per-carry basis, the team finished the 2025 season ranked No. 6 in the league, while ranking No. 2 in defensive EPA against the run.
This season hasn’t gotten off to as successful a start, but the team is also facing two of its toughest rushing opponents of the year in consecutive weeks this season.
Not only will Henry pose a problem for the Saints’ defense, but so will quarterback Lamar Jackson. An elite passer, Jackson is also the league’s biggest rushing threat thanks to his dual-threat ability, escapability and speed.
Both will present a unique challenge that the Saints will have to defend in order to be successful in Baltimore.
The “mush rush” game plan for the pass rush will likely be leaned on, putting edge defenders in position to focus on containing Jackson rather than pressuring him. Meanwhile, getting as many helmets to the ball as possible will be a necessity in limiting Henry.
Henry ran for 144 yards last week against the Indianapolis Colts, gaining 104 after contact, per Pro Football Focus. That means that getting the back down on first contact wasn’t a success for the Colts. In order for the Saints to avoid the same fate, they can’t have a repeat of last week’s matchup in which they were guilty of 12 missed tackles against Gibbs, a career high for the back.
Tackling players like the elusive Gibbs and powerful Henry won’t be a season-long task for New Orleans, they will only face that caliber of back a couple of times this year. But when they do, it’s going to take a group effort to limit the rushing production these superstar backs can create.
