Saints Run Defense vs. Buccaneers Rushing Attack
The New Orleans Saints are on the verge of losing in the playoffs after their humiliation against the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday. There are hardly no wild card chances left. Thus, in order for the Saints to win the NFC South, they must win their final two games and the 8-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers must lose their final two.
When New Orleans travels to play the Buccaneers this Sunday, they can take care of business in the first scenario in both cases. The Saints’ defense has to get back to normal following a dismal performance against the Rams if they are to survive. They rank 14th in total defense heading into Week 17, giving up 321.6 yards and 19.8 points per contest.
However, they’ve also been particularly putrid against the run over the last half of the season. The Saints take on a Buccaneers squad that manhandled them in all phases during a 26-9 win at New Orleans back in Week 4. Tampa Bay ranks 23rd in total offense, averaging 21.7 points and 316.3 yards per outing. The Buccaneers have had to rely on their passing game most of the year thanks to one of the worst rushing attacks in the league. However, it’s a running game that’s come to life during their current four-game winning streak.
TAMPA BAY RUNNING GAME
The Buccaneers average only 89.3 yards per contest on the ground, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Their 3.4 per carry is the worst in the league and they’ve been held to under 100 yards in 10 of 15 games.
Second-year RB Rachaad White has assumed the lead back role for the Buccaneers. He leads the team with 873 yards on the ground and has six of their eight rushing scores. White is averaging just 3.6 per carry, but is an elusive back with good vision and burst.
He’s been on a roll recently, with two 100-yard outings and two more with over 80 yards in the last five games. Three-year veteran Chase Edmonds is White’s primary backup. Edmonds has just 42 carries for 133 yards and no touchdowns. Undrafted rookie power back Sean Tucker (15-23) is a power back who rounds out the depth chart. Return specialist Deven Thompkins can also be a valuable weapon on jet sweeps and reverses.
Baker Mayfield is not known as a running quarterback. However, Mayfield is nimble enough to scramble for yardage when a passing play breaks down. He has 157 yards and a score with his legs this season, including a crucial 31 yards on the ground against the Saints in Week 4. Tampa Bay’s offensive line is built more for pass protection than rushing yardage. However, LT Tristan Wirfs is one of the best overall tackles in the game. Second-year RT Luke Goedeke has developed into a solid player on the other side.
Rookie RG Cody Mauch is a mauler, while C Robert Hainsey and LG Aaron Stinnie are solid technicians in the middle. Backup TE Ko Kieft is basically an extension of the offensive line, whether lining up as a fullback or outside the tackles. NEW ORLEANS RUN DEFENSE
The Saints have been almost embarrassing against the run the last half of this season. They’ve given up 127 yards per game on the ground and 4.5 per carry to rank 25th in both categories. Opponents have averaged 145 yards rushing against the Saints over the last 10 contests, most in the NFL over that span.
Defensive tackle has performed better than last year, but still needs better production. Rookie first-round choice Bryan Bresee has the look of a potential star, but can get maneuvered out of position by savvy run blockers. Nathan Shepherd has been the position’s most consistent against the run, but Khalen Saunders hasn’t been much of a factor until recently.
AThe Saints’ defensive tackles as a unit have only surrendered nine tackles, and they must increased penetration to stymie opposing running schemes. The New Orleans defense has been particularly susceptible to the run at this point. Future Hall of Famer Cam Jordan has seen a sharp drop in his production and has been sidelined for a month due to a serious ankle injury. Carl Granderson is an excellent ball-chaser who has had a breakthrough season as a pass rusher. Nevertheless, when teams run off-tackle plays directly at him, Granderson can be blown off the ball.
Veteran DE Tanoh Kpassagnon is a quality backup, but has played more than anticipated because of injuries to ineffective rookie second-round pick Isaiah Foskey. Zack Baun has played far better since being used as a rush end over off-ball linebacker. His undersized frame has allowed opponents to run effectively at him. Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round choice, may be activated after being on injured reserve for 14 games.
Demario Davis has shown that he can still be a top-tier linebacker. Davis leads the team with 108 tackles, including nine for loss, and still possesses elite instincts. While still tenacious in pursuit, he’s lost a step sideline-to-sideline. This has allowed opposing backs to beat him to the corners, especially since the defensive ends have often put up little resistance to off-tackle plays. Davis has gotten no help from his running mate at linebacker.
While Pete Werner is second on the team in tackles (80), only three of them have been for loss. Werner has regressed badly in his third season and has been a major liability in the open field.
New Orleans defensive backs remain aggressive in run support. However, poor tackling and bad angles to the ball has haunted the defense. This is particularly true at safety, where Tyrann Mathieu and rookie Jordan Howden have allowed several chunk plays. Corners Alontae Taylor, Paulson Adebo, and Isaac Yiadom have also missed some crucial tackles on the second level. WHAT TO WATCH
The Saints will certainly need to contain Tampa Bay star wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin while forcing Baker Mayfield into mistakes. However, the Buccaneers have manhandled New Orleans the last three times these teams have met. The Buccaneers rushed for 114 yards when they beat the Saints in Week 4, providing just enough threat to move the chains and set up play-action passes.
Running plays from Tampa Bay might be directed to the left, behind Tristan Wirfs, and right at Carl Granderson. To stop Rachaad White from cutting back and rushing to the other side, the Saints must win the line of scrimmage even if they stack their defense to that side. The defensive tackles for New Orleans must be outstanding. Not only should they impede Tampa Bay’s running game to render them one-dimensional, but also as pass rushers. Interior penetration will be essential to stopping the Tampa Bay offense, even on off-tackle runs.
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