If there was one major miscue Kellen Moore made against the Tennessee Titans that needs to be rectified against the Atlanta Falcons, it was not using Audric Estime early. The biggest story around the New Orleans Saints is the ascension of Tyler Shough, but the focus needs to be complimentary football.
Estime had the second most yards by a Saints running back this season last week. His 14-carry, 94-yard day was stamped by his 32-yard touchdown scamper. That was the longest run by a Saints running back in half a decade.
With a day like that, you'd be surprised to know Estime had only two carries in the first half. He could have been the first Saint to cross the century mark with more touches early. Estime is your top remaining running back, and Moore needs to ride the hot hand. The offense soared in the final two quarters, and Estime's 88 second half yards was a major contributing factor.
The absence of Chris Olave makes the Saints running game even more important
The truth is the Saints are depleted all the way around. They're operating with wide receivers and running backs that were supposed to be non-factors, but at least Estime has shown you something tangible.
The Saints traded away Rashid Shaheed and released Brandin Cooks. They were your second and third receivers. Devaughn Vele was a high profile trade from the offseason who spent most of the year trying to find his footing. When he did, he suffered an injury that ended his season. Mason Tipton is the fifth receiver and out for the game. Then, Chris Olave has been ruled out after a procedure to remove a blood clot in his lungs.
That's every one of your top five receivers. It's not much better at running back. The Saints planned to have two headed monster of Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, with a sprinkle of Devin Neal. Miller ended on IR, Neal was shut down due to a late injury and Kamara might as well have joined them on injured reserve.
The Saints don't have many running backs or wide receivers. That being said, Estime has shown he can help push the Saints offense forward. His contributions in Week 17 were critical to helping the Saints achieve balance and momentum offensively.
Without Olave, the options are going to be slim for Tyler Shough. It'll probably be a high reliance on tight end Juwan Johnson, but it should also be a reliance on the run game early and often. Estime has shown you the results of giving him the ball, and Falcons' edge rusher James Pearce Jr. showed you the results of dropping back against him constantly.
Pearce got to the quarterback twice against the Saints earlier this season and leads all rookies in sacks. The Falcons, as a team, have the second most sacks in the NFL. Conversely, they've allowed the seventh most rushing yards this year. Need any more reason to run the football versus Atlanta?