Saints Must Unleash Rushing Attack Against Familiar Falcons

Saints may need to find unique ways to get their two rushing weapons on track and establish balance against a familiar foe in Atlanta.

The New Orleans Saints come out of their bye week with a critical NFC South road showdown against the Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans comes into this game with a 5-5 record but in first place in the division. Atlanta, also coming off a bye, enters with a 4-6 record and in second place. 

The Saints have had offensive issues for most of the year. They are 13th in total yardage with an average of 337.4 yards per outing. However, they've been held to under 21 points six times in 10 games and rank 18th with an average of 21.4 points per contest. The Saints are also a lowly 21st in third down percentage and 23rd in red zone efficiency. 

New Orleans has especially struggled with balance and play-calling. Their passing game hasn't been consistent, but it's shown more life than their rushing attack. They'll now deal with a very physical Falcons defense. 

Atlanta has shown a stronger defense than they've had in years. They are just 18th in points allowed (21.7/game), but their 309 total yards against ranks seventh in the league. The Falcons are fourth in third down defense and sixth in the red zone, but are just 28th in turnovers forced. 

Part of the Saints struggles on third downs and in the red zone has been because of their inability to run the ball. They'll look to change that against a defense that knows them well.

Atlanta Run Defense 

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) tackles Washington running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (23). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons give up 108.4 yards/game on the ground, ranking 14th in the NFL. They've allowed just 3.9 per carry (11th) and only one 100-yard rusher all season, with five others over 65 yards.

With big-bodied DT Grady Jarrett out for the year, former Saint David Onyemata has been a critical inside force for the Falcons. Onyemata leads the team with five tackles for loss and has gotten excellent interior penetration. 

Two other former Saints, Kentavious Street and Albert Huggins, flank Onyemata at one end. Venerable DE Calais Campbell is still playing at a high level on the other side. He's spelled by promising rookie Zach Harrison to keep him fresh late in games. 

Oct 29, 2023; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) prepares for a snap against the Tennessee Titans. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY

Yet another former Saint, LB Kaden Elliss, has proven that his breakout season with New Orleans in 2022 was no fluke. Elliss is tied for the team lead in total tackles (73), including a team-high 49 solo stops and four for loss. He's a physical downhill defender with a knack for big plays.

Nathan Landman has replaced the injured Troy Andersen as Elliss' running mate at inside LB. He's often overmatched athletically in open space, but plays with solid awareness. At outside LB, Arnold Ebiketie, Bud Dupree, and Lorenzo Carter are effective pass rushers but also underrated against the run. 

Falcons safeties Jessie Bates and Richie Grant can each slip down to the line of scrimmage like an extra linebacker. Bates is tied with Elliss for the team lead in tackles, with Grant just a few behind them. Atlanta's deep set of corners are all big defenders that are active in run support. 

New Orleans Running Game 

Jan 9, 2022; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

A 22nd ranked New Orleans rushing attack averages exactly 100 yards per game and is a lowly 30th with just 3.6 per carry. They've been held under 100 yards six times this year, including a season-low 65 on the ground in their last outing against Minnesota. 

Alvin Kamara is still one of the most versatile backs in the NFL and the key to offensive success. After missing the first three games, Kamara has been heavily involved, but has yet to have a big game on the ground. He leads the Saints with 388 rushing yards, but is averaging just 3.7 per carry and has only one outing of over 70 yards on the ground. 

Kamara has elite vision and balance. He's an effective runner between the tackles, but has special burst and cutback ability when he can get to the edge. With rookie Kendre Miller (ankle) out again, Kamara is the only legitimate big-play threat at the position. 

Offseason pickup Jamaal Williams hasn't made the impact many expected. Williams missed four games with injury, but has only 131 yards rushing in his other six contests, no touchdowns, and an average of 2.9 per carry. He's a physical runner between the tackles, so the lack of blocking hasn't done him any favors. 

Nov 28, 2019; New Orleans Saints Taysom Hill (7) runs through the Atlanta Falcons defense for a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

The Saints most effective power runner continues to be Taysom Hill. Capable of outrunning defenders or simply running them over, Hill has 261 yards on the ground and a team-high three rushing scores. The entire offense performs better when he gets involved early in a game.

A source of concern since the start of the year, New Orleans has at least finally settled on an offensive line combination. Andrus Peat has performed surprisingly well after replacing a benched Trevor Penning at left tackle four games ago. Since the move, New Orleans has rushed the ball for a higher average per carry. 

Veteran James Hurst has settled in at left guard and is a steady, if unspectacular blocker. Erik McCoy is playing better at center after an uncharacteristically rocky start. On the right side, G Cesar Ruiz and T Ryan Ramczyk are physical plows for the running game. It's the side where the Saints run most effectively. 

What to Watch 

Jan 9, 2022; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs past Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Brandon Copeland (51). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With WR Michael Thomas (knee) on injured reserve and QB Derek Carr (concussion/shoulder) less than 100%, it is even more crucial for the Saints to establish balance. Keeping the Falcons off-balance on first and second downs and setting up manageable third downs will be especially critical. 

Alvin Kamara has averaged 61 yards on the ground (733 yards) and 4.6 per carry in 12 career meetings against the Falcons. It's his highest output against any opponent he has faced over four times. In his last five matchups against the Falcons in Atlanta, he's averaged 80 yards rushing and five yards per attempt. 

Taysom Hill has also lived in the nightmares of Atlanta defenders. Over his last seven games against the Falcons, albeit three as starting quarterback, Hill has accounted for four rushing scores, one receiving, and four more passing. He's also rushed for 298 yards in those meetings, averaging seven yards per carry. 

Nov 28, 2019; New Orleans Saints Taysom Hill (7) runs through the Atlanta Falcons defense for a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Atlanta defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is certainly aware of the ways Kamara and Hill can hurt an opponent. Nielsen spent six years with New Orleans as a defensive assistant. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael would be wise to get both Kamara and Hill involved early, but doing so in unique ways to keep the Falcons off-balance. 

There's no secret that the Saints will need productive games from Kamara and Hill. It will be up to New Orleans to open up lanes up front and also find creative ways to get their two rushing assets into open field matchups.