Well, it took the offense long enough, that's for sure. After waiting nearly all preseason, the New Orleans Saints' run game finally showed up to play in the win against the Dallas Cowboys, and they'll need Travis Etienne Jr to carry that momentum into the season.
Gathering 169 total yards and all the team's touchdowns on the ground, the Saints' run game was finally able to show what the players and media have been hyping up all offseason. The main engine of the offense that evening, it looks like the halfbacks have shaken off all the rust that's been on their shoulders the past few weeks. If this is what the offense actually looks like with the first-team out there, then the Saints should be an electric team to watch this fall.
It gets even better when you realize that it wasn't the first team out there. With a better offensive line and starting running back Etienne in the mix, 2026 might be the Saints' run game's best season in years.
A good run game is a quarterback's best friend
After the run game struggled mightily in the first two games (they gathered 161 yards in the games combined), it's a huge relief for Saints fans and staff. However, there might not be anyone more relieved, or rather, there shouldn't be, than the team's quarterback, Tyler Shough. Following the Friday night game, Shough should be locked and loaded with depth as he heads into year two.
There's no bigger best friend for a quarterback, especially a young one, than an established run game. If a team can consistently get that chunk play in, it's honestly a big weight off the shoulders of whatever QB is at the helm. In the case of the New Orleans Saints, Shough is the one who should reap most of the benefits.
Simpler reads, a reduced pass rush, and better third-down manageability are just some of the things Shough could see/have if the run game is able to back him up. Which, as of Friday night, seems to be the case.
The Saints' running backs have also managed to prove this much while battling several injuries. Alvin Kamara is out for at least a month, Devin Neal is on injured reserve, and Kendre Miller and Audric Estime are battling injuries themselves. When all of them are healthy, the run game should get even better.
What good news for Shough, who's heading into his first full year as a starter.
Add us as a preferred source on Google