A new-look offense takes the field for the New Orleans Saints as they play at the Detroit Lions as part of Week 1 of the 2026 season. The Saints made an offseason focus on surrounding second-year quarterback Tyler Shough with new weapons. Part of that was an eye on improving a rushing attack that was among the worst in the league.
An improved running game will be one of the keys to a more successful Saints offense, and New Orleans will likely need that to keep pace with Detroit's offense in the opener. Most eyes will be on Shough and his development, but it's paramount that the running game for New Orleans is effective. It's that aspect of this matchup against Detroit that we examine now.
Lions 2025 run defense
- 114.5 yards per game (14th)
- 4.4 yards per carry (21st)
- 16 touchdowns (16th)
In 2025, the Lions held five of their first six opponents
to under 100 yards on the ground. However, seven of their last ten opponents managed over 120 yards rushing, including more than 140 in five games. Leading tackler linebacker Jack Campbell returns as the captain of the unit. Campbell, who had 176 stops and 9 for loss, isn't the most athletic but is extremely physical and possesses good instincts. Derrick Barnes, 78 tackles in 2025, is also back and is likely the weak side linebacker. On the strong side, former Saint Alex Anzalone departed in free agency and will likely be replaced by Malcolm Rodriguez. Veteran Devin White, the best athlete of the linebackers, will provide depth at multiple spots.
In the secondary, Detroit will be without their best two run defenders and top overall defensive backs. Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are injured and unavailable to start the season. Branch was fourth on the team in tackles last season, while Joseph has consistently been one of the league's better safeties. Replacing them are Chuck Clark and former corner Avonte Maddox.
Up front, end Aidan Hutchinson is one of the NFL's best linemen. Most feared as a pass rusher, Hutchinson is also an underrated run defender. Complementing him at the other end are D.J. Wonnum and Derrick Moore, with Tyler Lacy providing inside and outside depth. At tackle, Alim McNeill, Taleik Williams, and Skyler Gill-Howard are capable but must be more consistent at shutting down running lanes.
Saints 2025 rushing statistics
- 94.3 yards per game (28th)
- 3.7 yards per carry (31st)
- 9 touchdowns (27th)
Some will point to the team's rushing struggles a result of Alvin Kamara missing the last seven contests. However, Kamara's average of 42.8 rushing yards per game and 3.6 per carry were by far the worst of his nine-year career. Still, Kamara's 471 yards led the team by 265 yards. Devin Neal and Audric Estime both showed promise, but Estime is on injured reserve and Neal isn't on the team anymore. Kendre Miller is talented but cannot be relied on, evidenced by the fact that he's only even been available for 21 of a possible 51 contests in his career.
With Kamara's career winding down and major questions about his remaining effectiveness, the Saints made an offseason focus on finding a new featured back. The answer came in free agency, with the signing of Travis Etienne Jr. from the Jaguars. A New Orleans native, Etienne brings underrated power and game-breaking explosion off-tackle and in the open field. He's rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four NFL seasons and carries an average of 4.2 per rush. Handpicked by coach Kellen Moore for this system and will be the featured offensive weapon.
Not all of the struggles of the running game were on the backs. The Saints have two extremely talented tackles in Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga. However, interior blocking was a major problem. Like with Etienne, New Orleans made a free agent focus here when signing guard David Edwards, the top interior lineman available. Edwards and Banks could potentially make New Orleans a left-handed dominant offense. On the other side are Fuaga and right guard Cesar Ruiz, with the return of veteran center Erik McCoy the glue to bring together a better offensive front in the hopes of an improved running game.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL Week 1 preview: Saints offense must get run game going at Lions
