Saints Porous Run Defense Must Meet Challenge of Giants Top Weapon

The Saints rush defense has been reeling and now face a critical challenge against explosive Saquon Barkley in Week 15.

The New Orleans Saints play their third consecutive home game when they host the New York Giants this Sunday. At 6-7, the Saints are somehow tied for first place in the NFC South and need a win to keep division title hopes alive. The Giants have won three straight to bring their record to 5-8 and cling on to faint wild-card hopes.

New Orleans began the year strong defensively, but the unit has faded badly over the second half of the season. The Saints rank 13th in total defense, giving up an average of 20 points and 321 yards per contest. Their pass coverage remains strong, but the absence of a pass rush and collapsing of their run defense has been crippling. 

The Giants come in with one of the worst offenses in the league. New York ranks 31st in total offense with 14.1 points and 267 yards per outing. They are also down to their third quarterback this year, rank 31st on third downs, and 29th in red zone efficiency. 

New York still has some intriguing offensive weapons, including an explosive running back considered one of the best in the NFL. That may not bode well for a Saints defense that's been giving up rushing yards in bunches. 

New York Running Game 

Dec 11, 2023; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball past Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26). Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants average 115 yards per game on the ground, ranking 14th in the league. They've managed only six rushing scores, which ranks 27th, but are coming off a season-high 209 yards on the ground in a victory over Green Bay last week. 

Sixth-year RB Saquon Barkley is not only the focal point of the offense, but often has to shoulder the attack all by himself. Despite the defensive attention, Barkley still averages 4.2 per carry and has 783 yards rushing. He has only one 100-yard game, but five others with at least 75 yards.

Barkley is an explosive game-breaking threat, but also has excellent vision and good feel for rushing lanes. He's most effective in space, but has the power to pick up extra yardage after contact. 

Oct 3, 2021; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) evades New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Seventh-year veteran Matt Breida is the primary backup to Barkley. He has 141 rushing yards, but no touchdowns and an average of just 2.7 per carry. Breida is a quality back, but there aren't many opportunities as long as Barkley stays healthy.  

Undrafted rookie QB Tommy DeVito was thrust into the starting job early last month because of injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. Often forced to run for his life because of abysmal pass protection, DeVito has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs. DeVito has run for 154 yards in six game appearances and four starts, including 71 in the victory over the Packers. 

The Giants have been awful at protecting the quarterback, but it's a group that's shown capable of opening holes for Barkley and the running game. Second-year RT Evan Neal is the best of the unit and has shown why the Giants used the seventh overall choice on him in the 2022 draft.

Rookie second-round choice John Michael Schmitz has been a promising technician at center. Veteran LG Justin Pugh is a quality lineman, while RG Ben Bredeson and LT Andrew Thomas have been far better for the running game than as pass protectors. Tight end Daniel Bellinger isn't much of a receiver, but has been an extension of the offensive line for the run.

New Orleans Run Defense 

Oct. 29, 2023; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28). © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Saints have given up 131.5 yards on the ground and 4.6 per rush. That ranks 26th in the NFL, but they've been absolutely porous in the last eight games. Over that span, opponents have picked up 156.5 rushing yards, the worst mark in the NFL. They've not allowed a 100-yard rusher, but five players have managed at least 65 yards.

New Orleans has gotten blown off the ball by several opponents, especially on the edge. Carl Granderson is having a good season as a pass rusher and is outstanding in pursuit of the ball. However, Granderson has often been overwhelmed when teams run right at him.

Cameron Jordan is still a terrific run defender, but Jordan's reps have been severely limited because of a badly injured ankle. Tanoh Kpassagnon, Isaiah Foskey, and Zack Baun are solid but not big difference makers.

Defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and rookie Bryan Bresee have been an upgrade at the position over last year. However, the two have combined for just six tackles for loss despite fairly consistent penetration. They each need to make more stops on backs behind the line of scrimmage. 

Dec 3, 2023; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden (31), defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90), and safety Tyrann Mathieu (32). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Tackle Khalen Saunders is built like a prototype tackle. Unfortunately, Saunders has been pushed off the line too often in spite of his size and power. The loss of DT Malcolm Roach to injured reserve is crucial. Roach was having a good year and had been the team’s most consistent run defender. Jack Heflin has taken some of his reps, but the unit has worn down over the lady two games.

Third-year LB Pete Werner is having a solid year statistically. Werner is a downhill defender who plays the run aggressively. However, he's been a liability against shifty players when in space. 

Veteran LB Demario Davis is still the heart of the defense and has stepped up his play recently. Davis leads the team with 91 tackles, including seven for loss. He may have lost a step, but still pursues the ball with ferocious tenacity. His elite instincts and awareness also never put him out of position. 

New Orleans defensive backs are an extremely aggressive group against the run. Corners Paulson Adebo, Isaac Yiadom, and Alontae Taylor consistently cut down runners at the line. Losing Marcus Maye to injured reserve thins the safety group. Rookie Jordan Howden has played well as a run defender, but Tyrann Mathieu has taken poor angles against runners in the open field. 

What to Watch 

Oct 3, 2021; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) makes a run stop against the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

If New Orleans is to win this game, they'll have to be far less porous against the run. Four of the Saints last six opponents have run for over 150 yards against them, with two exceeding 200 on the ground. 

Shutting down Barkley will be a primary goal for New Orleans. The Saints have given up several big gains on the ground and Barkley has the explosiveness to turn a small crease into a long touchdown run. Defenders must also remain disciplined against Barkley's dynamic cutback ability and to prevent DeVito from making plays with his legs.

The Saints must stalemate the line of scrimmage and get penetration to prevent Barkley from hitting the line at full speed. Winning those matchups will allow Davis and Werner to burst to the ball to hold Barkley to short gains. Doing so will put more emphasis on DeVito and a New York passing attack that has performed poorly all season and at least contain Barkley, the Giants' top weapon.