The Saints have had plenty of ups and downs the past several seasons, but one thing has remained remarkably consistent: When Taysom Hill has a big game, the Saints win.
The Saints are 17-1 in games when Taysom Hill has at least 7 carries, the lone loss coming in a game he started against the Cowboys in 2021. And while it's not quite as simple as the numbers make it seem, Deuce McAllister explains why his role in the obvious could be a game-changer in a pivotal Week 12 showdown against the Falcons.
Listen to the full breakdown from Deuce McAllister in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
"I’m interested to see how Atlanta tries to stop Taysom,"McAllister told Bobby Hebert and Mike Detillier on SportsTalk this week, "because some teams, they have the beef inside where they can pinch inside and they can bring guys off of the edge, but I don’t know if the Falcons can really hold up by doing that."
There was a hefty amount of criticism directed at the Saints offense after a Week 10 loss to the Vikings in which Hill saw just one carry. Making sure to keep things manageable against a defense led by former Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen will be the biggest factor.
Hill has been a menace against the Falcons over his 12 career games, accounting for 1,176 total yards and 9 TDs as a rusher, passer and receiver.
"I think the biggest thing is not allowing the game to get out of hand," Deuce said, "and then getting [Taysom] some early touches."
The Saints (5-5) and Falcons (4-6) face off at noon Sunday in a pivotal NFC South clash, with the winner either retaining or taking over first place.
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MORE FROM DEUCE
Saints influence on Falcons/Lions defenses
“You talk about the influence of Sean Payton, Dennis Allen and the Saints organization, because not only from the player standpoint, but you talk about the GM and scouts, et cetera over in Atlanta. ... I think that speaks well and I think that from New Orleans’ standpoint they’re pleased and proud. I know the organization and as well as the team would love to be able to keep all of that talent in-house, but at the same time, you have to be able to be pleased and proud when some of that talent that you’ve been able to grow has its chance to move up the ladder and be able to be successful and that’s exactly what some of those coaches, players as well as other executive members have had the chance to do.”
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Why has Kyle Pitts been such a limited factor?
“Injuries. And so even not the injuries, after the injuries, he doesn’t look like he’s 100 percent healthy. He runs with almost a hitch. While he runs in his gait, it’s almost like a hitch. And even doing that, you know, sometimes, whether it’s the quarterback or the coordinator, whoever, he’s not even the first option. He’s like option No. 3, and so it’s just like, man, this is a top 10 pick who has talent and either he’s hurt, so sit him down, or if you’re gonna play him, at least get him involved and so I think the system has taken him away a little bit and the other part of it is the quarterback doesn’t trust him.”
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Expectations for Desmond Ridder
“A lot of young quarterbacks, it’s trusting the window. And so if my guy is open from the college standpoint, then a lot of them won’t throw it. And then when they do throw it, it’s like no, he’s not open at all. You’re forcing that throw instead of reading the coverage and throwing the guy open or throwing it to a space. I don’t know if he’s consistently trusted and that’s been a lot of his issue and then you talk about his ability to run, well, the Saints are going to get tested. He is going to run. He is going to move in the pocket and if the Saints can’t tackle him, it is going to be a long day."
