Multi-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran all over the New Orleans Saints' defense last Sunday, gathering 156 rushing yards. Top of the league, it's really unfortunate for the Saints defense that their next opponent has future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry in their backfield.
Everyone on the defense has to be on their A-game, because Henry certainly was last Sunday. He gained 144 rushing yards (second only to Gibbs) and three touchdowns, something that only matched one other player in the league (D'Andre Swift). Also averaging six yards a carry, the Saints' defense is arguably facing a tougher battle this week than last.
So it's safe to say that New Orleans can't let him keep going, unless they want to be featured on the wrong side of SportCenter's Top 10 plays. King Henry has shown no sign of slowing down in year 10, and that's something that every team in the NFL should be on the lookout for, not just the Saints. But funnily enough, this upcoming game against New Orleans will only be the second time in his career that he has played the team.
Derrick Henry has yet to score a touchdown against the Saints, but they can't let that get to their head
Despite all the games he's played and accolades he's gathered, Derrick Henry has faced the New Orleans Saints only once in his career. It's not a lot of sample size for self-scouting, but the results then weren't too bad. Back in the 2023 season opener, the Saints held Henry to just 63 yards on 15 carries (4.2 yards per carry).
However, even with the lackluster numbers in that lone performance, the Saints' defense can't relax even a little bit. Since that fateful day in September, Henry has had back-to-back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. It appears that he was only getting warmed up more than anything else.
Now this time around, the Saints' defense will have to stop him after he's done his warm-up period, if there ever even was one this season. They'll have to fix their run defense, and they have to do it fast.
While the Saints are doing the much-needed shuffling, defensive tackle Vernon Broughton should be a player who gets more snaps, not less. Only seeing the field 68% last Sunday, he was the highest-rated defensive lineman of ProFootballFocus. New Orleans should also consider giving Devon Godchaux more snaps as well, because he plays his best in run defense but is still only seen half the time.
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