When the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants face each other this weekend, one element that could set them apart will be which rushing offense comes to life, and which rushing defense can get stops.
If one team is able to achieve both, that will likely dictate the winner of Sunday’s game.
Both teams have middling to poor rushing offenses, while both rushing defenses are ranked inside the bottom-10 of the league.
The Saints (1-4) are without their top running back, Travis Etienne Jr., who will be on injured reserve at least until the bye week. Backup back Kendre Miller has shown some flashes, but the Saints often find themselves in game situations in which the team trailing.
All told, the team so far has only run the ball 34.7% of the time. But even when tied or trailing by a touchdown or less, the Saints have only run the ball on 38% of snaps.
There has not been a strong commitment to the run game. And that might have more to do with the team’s execution more than anything else.
Throughout that 38%, New Orleans has averaged just 3.7 yards per rush. That’s only slightly higher than their overall rushing average of 3.5 yards per carry through the first five games, ranking No. 29 in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ defense is ranked No. 24 in total yards surrendered and No. 30 in the NFL while allowing 5.2 yards per carry.
Many players that have spoken at the podium, and behind the scenes, have expressed confidence in the rushing attack to finally get going. This will have to be the week it does.
The Saints’ rushing defense is at the core as to the reason why. The Giants’ rushing offense (No. 16) has paced much better than the Saints’ ground game (No. 30) in total rushing yards. As it collides with the New Orleans run defense, ranked No. 30 in the league, statistically it has the better chance to find success.
If the Saints’ run game doesn’t get going, while the Giants rushers do, it could be a long day of having to play from behind. The better that the Giants run, the less likely quarterback Jameis Winston is to commit a costly mistake that could benefit New Orleans.
If New York is able to keep its offense on the field, and extend drives while the Saints struggle to do so on their end, the game can quickly become another in which the defense spends too much time on the field, while the offense is unable to get a chance to get into a rhythm.
Both teams will be motivated to get this area of the game straightened out. It’s imperative for the Saints, no matter who lines up in the backfield, to pave a way to success on the ground behind running backs Alvin Kamara, Miller and C.J. Donaldson.
Without an effective run game, it will take another heroic performance from quarterback Tyler Shough and the passing game to get a much-needed win on the East Coast before setting their eyes overseas to Paris.
