You’re right. But the Saints have NOT been a good running team this year. They have been well below average outside of week 1...so realistically it’s a pretty bad run game versus a pretty bad run defense. Just because the Panthers were able to take advantage of it doesn’t mean that the Saints will...that Panthers run blocking scheme has been absolutely dominant this season.
My concern is three fold:
1) the Jags secondary could limit Kamara and Thomas. Cook will also have a much more difficult time (the Bucs are the worst defense at defending the TE in the NFL).
2) the Saints offense may or many not be able to take advantage of the Jags weaknesses on defense.
3) when the Saints OL has struggled this season (rare occurrence) it has been against an elite interior pass rush. Calais is in my opinion as good as it gets outside of Donald. Remember Peat flailing around trying to defend Donald? It’s not inconceivable that you might see the same this Sunday with Campbell. I think that the Jags have a better supporting cast upfront than the Rams...the talent is there, it’s been a matter of scheme and execution for the Jags.
The Saints should win this game...but it really could be a letdown game coming off of a really tough opening schedule.