Going into the 2022 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints (4-8) were set to have an efficient, well-balanced offense. Once again, however, injuries have marred the team's capabilities, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Through 12 games this season, starting quarterback Jameis Winston has only played three times, wide receiver Michael Thomas has only played three games and is out for the year and first round-selected rookie offensive tackle Trevor Penning has only played six snaps this season due to a foot injury.
The saving grace for the Saints has been the progression of first round rookie Chris Olave to becoming a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the Saints. Olave has caught 56 receptions for 822 yards and three touchdowns.
Another reliable player for the Saints offensively is Taysom Hill, who is mostly a rusher but dynamic. In 11 games this season, Hill has rushed for 409 yards and a team-high five touchdowns on only 58 carries. His rushing performances were why the Saints had a week one win over the Atlanta Falcons and a huge home win over playoff-contending Seattle Seahawks in week five.
Even quarterback Andy Dalton, who entered the 2022 season as a backup, has been sufficient enough to put New Orleans in game-winning situations.
New Orleans is currenlty tied for 20th in the league in points per game (20.8) and 22nd in the rushing yards per game (113.2).
The loss of Terrod Armstead to free agency has been a big detriment to the Saints' run game. Despite numerous attempts, the Saints have not been to create a good, traditional run game. This season has been one of the most frustrating for longtime Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., who has had to use his dynamic runners in Hill and running back Alvin Kamara in different packages.
The Saints have experienced some tough losses this season and it will not get any easier in the rest of the season. New Orleans will have to take on their NFC South divisional rivals in the Tampa By a Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers one more time. They will also have road trips to take on the Cleveland Browns, with quarterback Deshaun Watson back, and the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the best record in the NFL at 10-1.
This Monday, the Saints will go on the road to take on Tampa Bay (5-6), who are coming off a tough loss to Cleveland last Sunday. In week two, the Saints hosted the Buccaneers in an attempt to take a two game lead in the race for the NFC South. The headline leading up to week two was the tremendous play of the defense. New Orleans accumulated 308 total yards (48 more than Tampa Bay), but they also turned the ball over five times. Winston threw three interceptions while Olave and running back Mark Ingram each fumbled the ball once. Tampa Bay won that game 20-10.
The Saints' offense will look to get revenge against the Buccaneers' defense, which ranks fifth in the league in points allowed per game (18.5), sixth in total yards allowed per game (315.2), and fourth in passing yards allowed per game (176). In order for the Saints to have any chance to stay alive in the chase for the NFC South divisional title, they have to avoid turning the ball over and establish themselves in the run game.
Kamara is coming off his worst performance of the season last Sunday in the 13-0 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers, when he rushed for 13 yards on seven carries and caught seven receptions for 37 yards. In his ten career games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kamara has averaged 46 yards on 12 carries while catching six receptions for 49 yards. He did not play in the week two game versus this Tampa Bay this season due a suspension he faced from an off-season incident.