The New Orleans Saints at one point led the Las Vegas Raiders 27-16 on Sunday before eventually losing 35-27. In the loss, quarterback Tyler Shough only ran the ball once, but it was for 36 yards. An improvisation that showed a vulnerability in the Raiders' defense, it was something that Shough and the team should keep going back to moving forward.
It happened with just under six minutes left in the first quarter, when Shough stepped up in the pocket and found nothing but green grass. Maybe it was on linebacker Quay Walker for leaving that side of the field, or maybe it was on the defensive coordinator for calling that play. Either way, the opening was taken advantage of as Shough brought the team across midfield on his own two feet.
Shough's legs were honestly the spark that got the offense going, as the team would go on to score their first touchdown in the first quarter all season. From there, he would try to push the offense through the air, attempting a total of 42 passes. With just one rush to go alongside those passes, the Saints might've left a proven weapon in the drawer.
Tyler Shough is an unused weapon in the Saints run game
Tyler Shough's first big run play wasn't last Sunday or even last week when he had that go-ahead QB sneak against the Ravens. It's something that dates back to his rookie season last year, where he's pushed the team to wins with his legs rather than his arm. A quarterback that has both kinds of ball skills is something most offenses don't have, and a few more designed runs or scramble decisions could've really been the difference maker in the home opener.
By the time Shough attempted to run with the ball again, it was too little too late, because it was in such an obvious scrambling situation. Fourth and one and you send your receivers down the field on a dropback pass? The whole stadium had to know that he was going to run there, making it an easy decision for the Raiders to put a spy or two up.
Running more does naturally lead to more injury risk, but isn't the phrase "No risk, no reward"? Maybe with more rollouts or bootlegs, they can use Shough's leg as a weapon multiple times a game and not just once. Perhaps Kellen Moore could even put some designed runs in as well, just to really get him going on the ground.
Moore and Shough's next chance to get that part of the offense going happens on the national stage, as the Atlanta Falcons come to New Orleans for week four's edition of Monday Night Football. If they're able to figure out how to get Shough going on the ground even a little bit, it should make for an exciting evening of football.
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