Saints Run Defense Seeks Another Dominant Performance at Texans

After dismantling the Patriots, the Saints seek another dominant defensive performance at Houston.

The defense of the New Orleans Saints dominated the New England Patriots in a 34-0 road shutout last Sunday to improve their record to 3-2. New Orleans returns to action this week as they travel to face the 2-3 Houston Texans. 

The Saints come into this contest with the NFL's fourth ranked defense, giving up an average of 15.2 points and 274.6 yards per game. They've also forced nine turnovers and rank third on third downs. 

Hosting the Saints is a young Texans team that has shown some explosiveness on the offensive side. Houston comes in ranked 11th in total offense with an average of 357.4 yards and 23 points per outing. Second overall draft pick C.J. Stroud looks like a franchise quarterback. However, a Texans squad that was expected to have a solid running game has not been able to provide their young quarterback balance. 

Saints Run Defense vs. Texans Rushing Attack 

Houston Running Game 

Oct 1, 2023; Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) rushes for a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

One of the few bright spots to an otherwise awful Texans team in 2022 was then-rookie RB Dameon Pierce. A fourth-round choice out of Florida, Pierce led the team with 939 yards in 13 games that included five outings of at least 90 yards.

After five games in 2023, the Texans average just 82 yards on the ground and rank 27th in rushing production. They have just one rushing score, with their three yards per carry ranking 31st in the league, and have been held to under 75 yards rushing in three of their five contests. 

Pierce has only 247 rushing yards and an average of 2.9 per carry this season. He was held to under 40 yards on the ground in Houston's first three games. A power back with excellent vision and underrated burst, the Texans will continue to try and get him on track. 

Backing up Pierce is fifth-year pro Devin Singletary. An offseason free-agent addition, Singletary rushed for 1,689 yards the last two years in Buffalo. He has only 27 carries for 95 yards so far this season. Singletary doesn't have Pierce's power, but has lethal speed to make him a big-play threat. 

Part of Houston's problem on the ground has been due to injuries across the offensive line. However, it's a line that should be fully healthy to take on New Orleans. It's also worth noting that the Texans had their full complement of linemen against Atlanta last week, but managed only 64 net rushing yards and a paltry 2.8 per attempt. 

Houston has two former first-round picks on the left side in LT Laremy Tunsil and LG Tytus Howard. It is where they like to focus their rushing attack. On the other side, RG Shaq Mason and RT George Fant are reliable veterans capable of paying the way for their runners.

New Orleans Run Defense 

Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) calls a set against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints currently rank eighth against the run, giving up only 91 yards per game but a somewhat concerning 3.9 per carry. They were absolutely suffocating against New England last week, holding the Patriots to just 45 yards on the ground and 2.5 per attempt. 

New Orleans defensive tackles are playing better with each week. Rookie first-round DT Bryan Bresee is a better pass rusher than run defender at this stage, but is developing rapidly into a star.

Nathan Shepherd has shown exactly why the Saints valued him so highly in free agency this offseason. Shepherd, like Bresee, has gotten consistent penetration into opposing backfields whether against double teams or single blockers. Malcolm Roach, the only returning defensive tackle from last year, is having the best season of his four-year career. Khalen Saunders completes the team's deep interior rotation. 

Cam Jordan continues to be the NFL's best defensive end against the run. On the other side, Carl Granderson is still a bit inconsistent in that area, but both players crash inside aggressively as run defenders. Each have been even more effective against the run because of one-on-one blocking caused by the improvement of the defensive tackles. 

Demario Davis is having another standout season at linebacker. One of the league's best all-around defenders, Davis has 31 tackles which include 19 solo stops and two for loss. His ferocious pursuit is surpassed only by his elite instincts and play recognition. 

Third-year LB Pete Werner plays second fiddle to Davis, but not by much. His 37 total tackles and 20 solo stops are team highs. He also displays strong instincts and has underrated athleticism in pursuit of the ball.

The Saints get a big addition back to their secondary with the return of S Marcus Maye from suspension. Maye has terrific range in coverage, but is also a physical run defender at the line of scrimmage.   He spearheads a New Orleans defensive backfield that is extremely aggressive in run support. 

What to Watch 

Aug 27, 2023; Houston Texans center Michael Deiter (63) takes on New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans will continue to try and establish the run with Pierce and a now healthy offensive line. New Orleans will counter this approach with linebackers Davis and Werner filling running lanes. Pierce has the athleticism to get outside, but he's most effective as a cutback runner.

The defensive tackles of the Saints will be critical to this aspect of the game. This is a group that's been playing better with each week. Their ability to get penetration and defeat blocking assignments will also set up free paths to the ball for their linebackers and defensive ends.