The New Orleans Saints aren’t just preparing for an aggressive pass rush on Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings. They’re also preparing to put their struggling rushing attack against the No. 7 run defense in the NFL.
The Vikings have allowed just 94.5 rushing yards per game so far this season. While they are a team that most opponents want to run against to neutralize defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ exotic pressure packages, few have done so successfully.
Because of Minnesota’s stout front, It could be true that teams have abandoned the run too quickly against them.
The Vikings have allowed 4.2 yards per carry in the run game to start the year. However, with only 91 rushing attempts against, they’re tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for fourth-fewest rushing attempts faced.
The Vikings simply haven’t been tasked with facing too many offensive plays. The 238 total offensive plays run against ranks No. 8 among the fewest runs against any defense.
If New Orleans does find some success in the running game, which would be a sight for the team’s sore eyes in the area, it could be imperative that they lean in on that element of the game. That would help to keep the Vikings’ defense playing out of sorts, thus buying quarterback Tyler Shough some comfort.
The key to them doing so, however, will be in an area the Saints have struggled in the season: Yards after contact.
Per Next Gen Stats, Minnesota has surrendered 3.04 yards after contact per carry so far this season. That may be advantageous for the Saints, who have averaged only 2.60 yards after contact per carry (No. 22 in the NFL) through the first four games.
Running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are expected set to see the heaviest workload. There will be some opportunities for undrafted rookie C.J. Donaldson, a bigger-bodied back, against a defense that’s susceptible to surrendering rushing yards after the first contact.
The Saints feel that they are close to getting their run game going. After a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, one they’d love to forget, bouncing back against a strong defense such as Minnesota’s would make a statement.
One of the best ways to do that will be keeping the Vikings’ aggressive blitz, and pressure packages, halted with an effective run game.
