A 0-4 New Orleans Saints squad is back home for the first time since Week 2 when they host the 1-3 New York Giants on Sunday. The last time the Saints won a game was Week 14 of last season, when they defeated the Giants in New York. They’ve lost eight consecutive games since then, including a 31-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. New York recorded their first win of the year last week with a 21-18 defeat of the Chargers.
New Orleans has struggled offensively, ranking 22nd in total yardage, 24th on third down conversions, and 28th in points scored. The Saints have averaged just 16.5 points this season and have hit the 20 point mark only once in their last 10 outings. They’ll face a Giants defense that ranks a lowly 29th overall and 26th on third downs while giving up an average of over 25 points. New Orleans is beginning to establish an identity as a running team. Today, we take a look at how that aspect of their offense matches up against the New York defense.
Giants Run Defense
- 153 yards per game (29th)
- 6.1 per carry (31st)
- 6 touchdowns (29th)
After finishing 27th against the run last season, New York is tracking the same course through the early portion of this year. After allowing 220 yards on the ground to Washington in the season opener, the Giants showed moderate improvement before giving up 152 rushing yards to the Chargers on Sunday. Through four games, the Giants have allowed one 100-yard rusher and two more runners to gain at least 65 yards.
New York employs a front seven with good size, but one built more for rushing the passer. A perfect example of this is Brian Burns, Kay Kayvon Thibodeaux, and rookie Abdul Carter on the edge. Dexter Lawrence is the star down lineman in their 3-4 front and is a presence that demands quality double-team blocking in the middle. Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Roy Robertson-Harris are the ends, with each underrated as run defenders.
Giants safeties Tyler Nubin and Javon Holland are both good open field tacklers. Each are quality defenders at the line of scrimmage also, but both are dealing with injuries that had them out of practice early in the week. Dane Belton is the primary depth at the position.
Saints Rushing Attack
- 124 yards per game (10th)
- 4.4 per carry (16th)
- 2 touchdowns (22nd)
Quietly, the Saints are beginning to establish an identity as a running team. Still the key to the entire offense, Alvin Kamara has 256 yards on the ground so far and two games of over 70 yards rushing. Kamara is at his best on off-tackle plays, where his elite vision makes him lethal as a cutback runner, but the Saints also use him often up the middle.
Third-year back Kendre Miller is an excellent complement to Kamara. Miller is a bigger back and physical between the tackles with an outstanding burst to the second level of the defense. He has just 124 yards rushing so far, but expect him to see more touches in the coming weeks. Even more help is on the way with the activation of Taysom Hill from the PUP list. The versatile Hill threatens defenses in countless ways, but it may be another week before we see him in the lineup.
New Orleans tackles Taliese Fuaga and rookie first round choice Kelvin Banks Jr. have done a terrific job establishing the edge for Kamara and Miller to get outside. Center Erik McCoy is playing closer to his usual high standard after a slow start. Last week’s game at Buffalo marked the return of Trevor Penning for the first time this season. Now at left guard, Penning is a strong run blocker that will help the Saints be more effective on inside running plays.
Right guard Cesar Ruiz will miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury. He’ll be replaced by either Dillon Radunz or undrafted rookie Torricelli Simpkins. The veteran Radunz is the more likely option and played well as a replacement for the injured Penning to start the year. However, he’s missed the last two games and practices early this week with a toe injury. Simpkins played extremely well after replacing Ruiz against Buffalo and may be the latest undrafted gem for New Orleans.
It’s critical for the Saints blockers to set the tone early. New Orleans is best when running Kamara off tackle, but the linemen must also open cutback lanes for Kamara and Miller as well as getting push off the line of scrimmage. With a passing game that has made few plays this season, it’s become clear that the best way for the Saints to move the ball is on the ground.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs. Giants preview: Kendre Miller, Alvin Kamara must run on NYG
