Saints Look to Continue Rushing Momentum at Texans

After their best rushing performance of the year, the Saints will again need to establish balance against a young but athletic Houston defense in Week 6.

The New Orleans Saints snapped a two-game losing streak with a 34-0 road shutout of the New England Patriots last Sunday. New Orleans, now 3-2, stay on the road this week when they travel to face the 2-3 Houston Texans. 

The Saints come into this contest with the league's 25th ranked offense, averaging 289 yards and 19.2 points per outing. Helped by a defensive touchdown, Sunday's output was the first time that the team surpassed 28 points in 15 games.

New Orleans faces a Texans squad that ranks 18th in total defense but 11th in points allowed. Houston has held their last three opponents to 21 points or fewer and has surrendered an average of 20 points per game on the year. However, the Texans rank near the bottom of the league (28th) on third downs and have allowed nearly 339 total yards per contest. 

The Saints have plenty of pass catching weapons for QB Derek Carr, but the key to their attack is their backfield effectiveness and ball control. 

Saints Rushing Attack vs. Texans Run Defense 

Houston Run Defense 

Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) and linebacker Blake Cashman (53). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans rank around the middle of the pack in stopping the run, giving up an average of 112 yards per game and 3.9 per carry. However, the eight rushing touchdowns against them ranks only 29th. They have yet to give up a 100-yard rusher, but two runners have over 85 yards against them with a third managing over 70.

Houston added a ton of defensive pieces to a unit that finished dead last against the run for the previous three years. Holdover DE Jonathan Greenard has been the unit's most consistent performer. Greenard has six of the defense's 20 tackles for loss. He and rookie reserve Dylan Horton are the biggest of an undersized group of edge defenders. 

Rookie third overall pick DE Will Anderson, veteran DE Jerry Hughes, and OLBs Christian Harris and Blake Cashman are athletic players but average just 240-Lbs. They are not often out of position, but can get pushed back by powerful blockers. 

Maliek Collins and former Saint Sheldon Rankins are a physical duo at defensive tackle. Both provide excellent interior push against the run and as pass rushers. Undrafted Kurt Hinish and journeyman Khalil Davis provide depth at a thin position. 

Veteran MLB Denzel Perryman, another offseason pickup, returned to the lineup last week after missing two games with a hand injury. Perryman is an athletic run-stopper who packs a punch as a hitter. Instinctive rookie fifth-round choice Henry To'oTo'o has played well in his place and leads Houston in total tackles and solo stops. Cory Littleton supplies depth at all three linebacker spots.

The Texans have a big secondary capable of physical run support. Veteran S Jimmie Ward is one of the league's better all-around players at the position. Second-year S Jalen Pitre led the team in tackles as a rookie, including several stops for loss as a run defender. Physical corners Steven Nelson and Shaquill Griffin both support the run well on the outside. 

New Orleans Running Game 

Sep 9, 2019; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) defended by Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby (21). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans ranks 20th in rushing production so far this season. They are averaging 97 yards/game, but their 3.4 per attempt ranks just 28th in the league. 

The Saints are coming off a season-high 136 yards on the ground against New England. In that game, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller combined for 117 rushing yards and nearly 4.9 per carry. 

Kamara was suspended for the first three games of the year but has led the Saints in rushing the last five seasons. He's a dynamic playmaker with elite balance and vision. Kamara is most dangerous in space, but squeezes through the smallest creases to pick up yards between the tackles.

Kendre Miller, a rookie third-round pick, had the best game of his young career at New England. He's an explosive player with outstanding burst through open holes, but hasn't yet shown that he can be an effective inside runner. 

Oct 8, 2023; New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips (21) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (25) after a big gain. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Taysom Hill continues his versatile role for the Saints. A bulldozer as a runner, Hill also has excellent speed in the open field and is the team's best short yardage threat. He has just 23 rushes so far, but is second on the team with 120 yards on the ground. 

New Orleans has been inconsistent along the offensive line all season. Second-year LT Trevor Penning has improved in pass protection, but has been erratic as a run blocker in recent weeks. Veteran RT Ryan Ramczyk has looked closer to his All-Pro form over the last two games after a bad start.

Injuries have forced the Saints to juggle at guard between Cesar Ruiz, James Hurst, and Andrus Peat. None have been overly effective, but Ruiz has been the most consistent dating back to last season. After a rocky start, C Erik McCoy has performed much better getting inside push and opening up cutback lanes for Kamara. 

What to Watch 

Sep 9, 2019; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Saints coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael emphasize a balanced offense. Kamara is the focal point of the unit, but has yet to break any big gains. The continued development of Miller should create more opportunities to move Kamara around the formation. 

New Orleans needs to establish control of the line of scrimmage against a lighter Houston defensive front. The Texans are athletic along their front seven, but the Saints line will look to impose physical dominance to open cutback lanes for slashing runners Miller and Kamara. 

Houston ranks near the bottom of the league in third down defense. If the Saints can establish a consistent running game, then creating short yardage situations on second and third downs will open up their playbook to keep the Texans off balance.