The New Orleans Saints wrapped up the regular season with the NFL’s second-ranked rushing defense, giving up just 1,283 yards on 3.6 yards per attempt. That would seemingly put them in good position to shut down the Los Angeles Rams new-found two-headed monster of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson. However, the Rams present a unique challenge for defenses due to the formations they use on offense.
According to Sports Info Solutions, 82.8 percent of the Rams rushing attempts this season came from three-receiver sets. No other team in the league generated a rate higher than 69.0 percent (the Dolphins), and the other 31 teams averaged just 50.4 percent of their attempts from three-receiver formations.
The benefit of running the ball in a three-receiver formation is it limits the defense’s ability to load the box.
When defenses are able to load the box against the Rams, they’re able to slow down their rushing attack. Los Angeles averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt when running into a box with eight or more defenders, per Sports Info Solutions. However, only 17.0 percent of the Rams rushing attempts came versus eight or more men in the box, the fourth lowest rate in the league.
The Rams unique approach to the run game presents a problem for most teams, but the Saints appear to be qualified to stop it. While their run defense was slightly worse versus three-receiver formations, they maintained their rank as the No. 2 defense, giving up just 3.98 yards per attempt.
The two teams met earlier this year, so the Saints will have some familiarity with the Rams rushing attack. However, since New Orleans jumped out to a 35-13 lead in the first half, the Rams were forced to abandon the run game early. Gurley finished with just 68 yards on 13 carries, all 13 from a three-receiver formation.
Of course, none of these stats account for the fact that defensive tackle Sheldon Rankin is out with a torn Achilles tendon. His absence may create a weakness the Rams can exploit. But if New Orleans is adequately able to replace him, they could potentially slow down the Rams rushing attack in a way few teams have done this season.
