In Week 5, the New Orleans Saints will play their third straight home game when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The first two didn't go well for the 1-3 Saints with a frustrating loss to the Raiders and a rout at the hands of the rival Falcons last Monday night. Now coming to town are the surprising 4-0 Vikings, one of only three undefeated teams remaining.
One major reason for the 1-3 New Orleans record is a complete lack of a running game. They'll have to right that ship against a Minnesota defense that's been one of the league's best in the season's early stages. It's there that we focus this analysis in Sunday's matchup.
Minnesota Vikings run defense
- 94.5 yards per game (7th)
- 4.2 per carry (16th)
- 1 touchdown (2nd)
- 21 tackles for loss
Aided by a 53-yard run, Miami's Ollie Gordon has been the only rusher to gain over 50 yards this season against
the Minnesota defense. Coordinator Brian Flores employs a scheme that has a lot of size and physical along both the defensive line and linebacker unit. Linebacker Blake Cashman has 33 total stops to lead the team, with fellow linebacker Eric Wilson not far behind at 24 stops. Neither are great athletes, but make up for that with very good anticipation with both being physical downhill defenders.
On the edge, breakout pass rusher Dallas Turner can be vulnerable against the run but has shown improvement in the area. Andrew Van Ginkle and Kyle Van Noy have each been superb against the run on the other edge. From their safety spots, Josh Metellus and Harrison Smith are each extremely aggressive and effective against the run.
Unlike the Saints, Minnesota has addressed their defensive trenches well. Two high draft picks from the 2026 draft man their defensive tackle spot effectively. First round choice Caleb Banks and third round pick Domonique Orange haven't filled up the stat sheet, but each have clogged running lanes and gotten push in the middle. The Vikings have a defensive line full of other such players who aren't household names but have won their battles up front consistently.
New Orleans Saints running game
- 88.5 yards per game (27th)
- 3.6 per carry (28th)
- 4 touchdowns (10th)
New Orleans has broken 100 rushing yards in only one of four contests. Their running backs are averaging a laughable 3.5 per run. This pathetic performance has been a combination of play-calling, scheme, and certainly execution on all levels.
Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. remains out with a serious ankle injury. He's replaced by Asim Richards, a major drop off, but the entire line has underachieved. Right tackle Taliese Fuaga has massively regressed from a promising 2024 rookie campaign. Cesar Ruiz is a below average starter at right guard, veteran center Erik McCoy no longer looks like the same player, and left guard David Edwards has yet to show why the Saints made a heavy free agent investment in him. This line has been unable to prevent gap penetration, get any push off the line whatsoever, or open up rushing lanes either inside or along the edge.
Running back Travis Etienne remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Etienne wasn't exactly lighting things up before the injury, but still leads the team with a paltry 128 rushing yards. Veteran Alvin Kamara looks like a shadow of his once dynamic form. Kamara, with 74 rushing yards, is averaging a lowly 3 yards per run. Kendre Miller has actually stayed healthy, but has a costly lost fumble and has been extremely ineffective.
Somehow, New Orleans has to muster some semblance of a running game. Without it, opposing defenses are teeing off on quarterback Tyler Shough with the pass rush and starting to sit on quick releasing routes in coverage. The offensive line is most responsible for getting things going. However, this backfield needs to start making plays as well. Against a Minnesota defense on a roll, this feels like an unlikely week that it happens.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Lifeless Saints running game must show something in Week 5 vs. Vikings
