by Niles Carpenter/Saints Contributor

As the New Orleans Saints gear up to face the Tennessee Titans in their regular-season opener at the Caesars Superdome, they know that their primary focus must be on stopping the force of nature that is Derrick Henry. Since taking over as the Titans’ lead rusher in 2018, Henry has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier running backs, amassing a staggering 7,101 rushing yards and 68 rushing touchdowns in 71 games. His imposing 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame demands a collective defensive effort, as a single tackler rarely brings him down. To thwart Henry’s advances, the Saints’ linebackers, led by Demario Davis and Pete Werner, must step up, but the key to success lies in the defensive line’s ability to close in on Henry when he touches the ball.

For the Saints, defensive linemen such as Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, and Malcolm Roach will need to create an interior push, while edge rushers Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon must ensure containment. Maintaining run fits and gap integrity is essential to prevent Henry from reaching the second and third levels, as the Saints’ rush defense struggled last season, allowing an average of 130.5 rushing yards per game on 4.5 yards per carry, their worst numbers against the run since 2017. A repeat of those numbers cannot occur on Sunday, as Henry’s success on the ground opens up opportunities for the Titans’ play-action passing game and star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. However, with Marshon Lattimore back to full health, the Saints have a shutdown cornerback who can provide crucial one-on-one coverage against Hopkins.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Derek Carr takes the reins for the Saints, leading a receiving corps that includes Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed. While Thomas has battled injuries in recent seasons, he has shown signs of returning to form during training camp. Olave and Shaheed add explosive speed to the group, offering big-play potential. Not to be overlooked is the tight end position, where Juwan Johnson aims to build on a solid previous season, and Jimmy Graham remains a red-zone threat. However, the success of Carr and the receiving corps hinges on solid pass protection, particularly from second-year left tackle Trevor Penning, who must minimize any growing pains.

As the Saints prepare for their season opener, stopping Derrick Henry‘s formidable ground attack will be their primary objective, while their own offense, under the leadership of Derek Carr and bolstered by a talented receiving corps, looks to make a statement. The battle in the trenches and the ability to contain Henry will likely be the defining factors in this matchup as the Saints aim to secure a victorious start to their campaign.