Saints Backup Turns Heads in Surprising Win vs. Cleveland Browns

The New Orleans Saints had a bad running game before Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. It's not looking so bad after Sunday.

The Saints had become a punchline for lack of run game efficiency before they entered the bye week. Since running back Audric Estime came onto the scene, New Orleans has quieted the negative outside noise in its push for the top of the NFC South. They have Estime to thank for at least temporarily fixing the running game. 

CBS Sports' RotoWire staff discussed Estime's breakout performance for the Saints as they secured their third win of the season. Here's what CBS Sports had to say about Estime's surprise breakout in the running game.

"Estime carried the ball 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-22 overtime win over the Browns. he also caught his only target for five yards.

It was a revenge game for the third-year RB, who was cut loose by Cleveland last week and got claimed on waivers by New Orleans to offer some depth for a depleted backfield. Estime played for the Saints in 2025 and didn't need to learn Kellen Moore's playbook, putting him in prime position to step into a big role right away, and he led the team with 16 touches ahead of Alvin Kamara's nine. Estime capped his big performance with a two-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. While he certainly made a case for a consistent role in the offense, rookie CJ Donaldson (shoulder) could be back next week and Travis Etienne (hamstring) might be close to returning from IR. Estime could still be atop the depth chart, at least temporarily, for a Week 10 clash with the Panthers."

Estime ran for just under 5.0 yards per carry. That may be the expectation for quality run play, but after the Vikings ran for around 1.0 yard per carry a couple of weeks ago, five yards per carry is a significant development.

Does a good running back fix a bad running game? Sunday lent credence to that notion. The Saints have been without their starting running back Travis Etienne and franchise legend Alvin Kamara at various points this season. Needless to say, there was always going to be drop off from that tandem to the backups.

The Saints appear to have found a solution to their running game struggles. We will see if that trend continues in Week 10.