The New Orleans Saints have yet to get their running game going through three weeks, and it’s a shame with the talent in the backfield. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller have the talent to succeed in Kellen Moore’s system. Unfortunately, the opportunities have been slim. That could all change on Sunday.
Maybe the return of Trevor Penning helps matters. The Saints have been without their starting left guard for the first three games. He’s more of a force in the run game, so his debut could mean better run blocking, which has been the rushing attack’s biggest road block.
From additions to subtractions, the Saints are getting back offensive linemen while the Buffalo Bills will be without critical members of their front seven. This should help creek the door open for the Saints to create better pathways for their rushers.
Saints need to take advantage of Bills missing Ed Oliver and Matt Milano's absence
Statistically speaking, the Buffalo Bills are the worst run defense in the NFL. No team allows more yards than them on the ground, and no team allows more yards per carry than them. The Bills defense is allowing 156 rushing yards per game at a clip of 6.2 yards per carry.
Those numbers are inflamed by facing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in Week 1, but blaming it all on that would be an easy way out. The Dolphins did a good job running against this defensive front just last week. It wasn't comparable to what Jackson and Henry did in the season opener, but Devon Achane still averaged over five yards a carry.
Kamara still has juice in the tank, and Miller makes the first defender miss on most carries. The problem is Kamara and Miller shouldn't have to make the first defender miss so soon. The question has been on the offensive line. Will they block and create running lanes that don't result in the running backs getting hit a yard in front of the line of scrimmage? Injuries to Oliver and Milano certainly make things easier.
Cesar Ruiz has struggled in the first triumvirate of games. At least, he doesn't have to face Ed Oliver. That would have been a mismatch every snap. The Saints have failed to really generate any steam on the ground this year, but this is the week to change that. If they can seize the opportunity, they also get the extra benefit of ball control and keeping Josh Allen off the field.