The emergence of the running game gratified the Saints on several levels. New Orleans wanted restore some balance to its attack to reduce pressure on Brees, who'd been sacked 20 times in the first eight games and hit as he threw a lot more than that.
Payton's own experience points to the merits of strong running game. The coach's best regular season record is 13-3, which he has posted twice,Air Force Scontate, once in 2009 and again in 2011. In both seasons, New Orleans ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing, averaging around 132 yards on the ground. |
