Saints Rushing Attack Gets a Welcome Return Against Buccaneers

Alvin Kamara's return should provide a much-needed boost to the Saints offense against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The 2-1 New Orleans Saints will probably start a different quarterback this week when they host the 2-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starter Derek Carr sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder during last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Jameis Winston will likely get the start, but Winston has reinforcements on the way.

Running back Alvin Kamara will see his first action of the year after being suspended for the first three games. Kamara's return comes just in time for a New Orleans offense that struggled to run the ball even with Carr in the lineup. Saints RB Jamaal Williams (hamstring) is also on injured reserve, although rookie Kendre Miller saw his first action of the year against Green Bay. 

The Saints will face a formidable defense in their NFC South rival Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, coming off a 25-11 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, have playmakers at all three levels of their defense. 

New Orleans needs to establish offensive balance, especially with Winston probably filling in for Carr. Will they be able to do it against Tampa Bay?

Saints Rushing Attack vs. Buccaneers Run Defense 

Tampa Bay Run Defense 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41). Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay opponents are averaging 103 yards on the ground and 4.2 per carry after three games. Those numbers are skewed by the fact that the Eagles gashed Tampa Bay for 201 yards on the ground last week. Before that, the Buccaneers held Minnesota and Chicago to a combined 108 yards rushing in the first two games. 

Nose tackle Vita Vea is the key to Tampa Bay's success against the run. Listed at 347-Lbs., Vea ties up at least two blockers on every play, but also has the strength to push multiple blockers backwards or the agility to slip between them to create disruption. However, Vea suffered a pectoral injury against Philadelphia and only returned to practice in limited capacity on Friday.

If the star nose tackle can't go, he'll be replaced by veteran Greg Gaines. A five-year veteran, Gaines is more than capable up front. The Buccaneers are also thin along the defensive line. First-round pick Calijah Kancey hasn't played since Week 1 and will miss another game with a calf injury. Veteran DE William Gholston is still reliable, but a big jump is needed from 2022 second-round choice Logan Hall.

Tampa Bay outside linebackers Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are valued for their pass rush. Barrett, in particular, is also an underrated run defender along the edge. Anthony Nelson is also a solid run defender on the outside, while safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal come up to provide aggressive extra defenders in the box.

While Vea is a crucial presence in the middle, inside linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White are just as important to the run defense's success. David, a cagey 12-year veteran, leads the defense with 16 solo tackles and six stops for loss. He and Demario Davis are on the short list of the league's best linebackers. White continues to struggle in coverage awareness, but has blazing sideline-to-sideline speed in pursuit. He's been slowed by a foot injury, but is expected to play.

New Orleans Running Game 

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY

Kamara's return is a welcome sight for a 21st ranked New Orleans running game that's been held under 80 yards in two of three games. Their best performance, 134 yards at Carolina in Week 2, was fueled by 75 yards rushing from Taysom Hill.

Kamara is one of the league's most versatile offensive players. He's proven to be a dangerous runner outside the tackles and in open space, but is also productive between the tackles with devastating cutback ability. 

Jamaal Williams was lost to a hamstring injury in Week 2 and will be unavailable for at least three more games. When he went down, that meant more touches for four-year veteran Tony Jones Jr. Jones had two short touchdowns against Carolina and 52 all-purpose yards against the Packers. Ideally, his best usage is that of an occasional option in short yardage. 

Rookie third-round choice Kendre Miller saw his first regular season action last week after missing the first two games. A back with good explosion, Miller picked up 34 yards on a limited snap count against Green Bay. He and Jones will be used on a situational basis to complement Kamara. 

Taysom Hill (7) of the New Orleans Saints rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

With Williams out, Taysom Hill is the most consistent power option on the team. Hill is coming off a career-best 575 rushing yards in 2022. He has just 91 this season, with 75 coming against Carolina. However, he's a legitimate rushing threat with the ability to run through tacklers and the speed to break big gains.

While the New Orleans backfield has been shorthanded the first three weeks, the primary reason for struggles on the ground has been an inept offensive line.

Tackles Trevor Penning and Ryan Ramczyk can be nasty run blockers, but have lacked consistency on the edge so far. Inside, guards Cesar Ruiz, James Hurst, and C Erik McCoy haven't been able to get consistent push at the line or open up cutback lanes. 

Ruiz left last week's loss at Green Bay with a concussion. With his status in question, Hurst could move to right guard while former starter Andrus Peat takes left guard duties. 

Player to Watch 

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Jordan Whitehead (31). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, having Kamara back should give a jolt to the entire offense. He's a player that opponents gear their game plan towards containing. In 12 career games against the Buccaneers, Kamara has averaged just 48 yards rushing, 3.8 per carry, and 92 yards from scrimmage. 

If Vita Vea is out for Tampa Bay, the Saints may have an easier time attacking the interior of the Buc defense. The onus will also be on the Saints' interior blockers to open up cutback lanes for Kamara. 

Look for New Orleans to attack with Kamara off tackle behind Ramczyk and Penning. That will pull linebackers David and White out of the middle and open up cutback lanes if they overpursue outside. 

It's hard to imagine the Saints duplicating the 200 yards that Philadelphia had on the ground against the Buccaneers. However, having some success with their running game to protect Jameis Winston and establishing balance is likely the best chance for a Saints victory in Week 4.