When the football world is up in arms over Taysom Hill, it usually means that the polarizing Swiss Army knife is establishing himself as an impact player for the New Orleans Saints, which is exactly what we’ve seen over the past few weeks. The Saints predictably went through an extended lull offensively without All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara for the first three weeks of the season.
However, their struggles continued upon his return in Week 4. After dropping two of their first three games with Kamara back in the fold — scoring just nine and 13 points, respectively, in those losses — offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael had no choice but to make some immediate changes.
How did Carmichael suddenly reignite his offense with an average of 28.7 points per game and a 2-1 record over its past three games? By hitting the “More” button on Taysom Hill.
Since Week 7, Hill’s snap rates have jumped to 58%, 44%, and 46%. That’s notable because Hill played 40% or less of New Orleans’ offensive snaps in four of their first six games. The former BYU quarterback has responded to the uptick in usage by amassing five touchdowns: three as a rusher, one as a receiver, and one as a passer.
Hill’s offensive snaps per position over the past three weeks are as follows:
- Slot: 53
- Quarterback: 28
- Wide: 15
- Inline: 12
- Backfield: 1
The statistics over the past three games include:
- 25 carries
- 133 rushing yards
- 5.3 yards per carry
- 3 rushing touchdowns
- 11 targets
- 9 receptions
- 77 receiving yards
- 8.6 yards per reception
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 2 completions (1 incompletion)
- 47 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdown
The Minnesota Vikings are no strangers to Hill succeeding against their defense. Hill has scored a touchdown in each game the Saints and Vikings have played since 2019. And Hill’s performance against Minnesota in the 2019 playoffs arguably led to then-Saints head coach Sean Payton giving his beloved do-it-all weapon a shot at quarterback the following season. Payton gave Hill four opportunities to lead the offense in 2020.
In that 2019 playoff game, Hill recorded:
- 4 carries
- 50 rushing yards
- 12.5 yards per carry
- 2 targets
- 2 receptions
- 25 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 1 completion (on 1 attempt)
- 50 passing yards
How can Brian Flores and his defense limit Hill’s impact for the Saints offense this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium? It starts with shutting Hill down on the ground on third and fourth down. Over the past three games, New Orleans has called for Hill to move the sticks or find the end zone with his legs on third or fourth down on five different occasions. Hill has converted four of those, with one being a touchdown on fourth-and-goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Oddly enough, that 80% success rate is the same that the Philadelphia Eagles have when they decide to sneak Jalen Hurts with the “Brotherly Shove.” Like stopping the Eagles on their Tush Push, shutting down Hill with his legs on third and fourth downs has proven to be easier said than done.
Bringing in defensive tackle Khalen Saunders as Hill’s lead blocker is the new wrinkle Carmichael has added to Hill’s package of plays at quarterback.
Just when opposing defensive coordinators thought Saunders entering the game meant an automatic run by Hill from the quarterback spot, Carmichael countered by sending Saunders into the flat before Hill found Juwan Johnson in the back of the end zone for a touchdown pass last week against the Chicago Bears.
Flores implements three safeties in his base defense: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, and Josh Metellus. Therefore, the Vikings have the necessary speed and physicality to match up well against Hill in the run game. Metellus operates primarily out of the slot, and Minnesota will task him with bringing the wood. He’ll have to take Hill to the ground before he reaches the sticks when Carmichael dials up No. 7 in the run game. As Minnesota’s primary slot defender, Metellus will also spend much of Sunday matching up against Hill when he’s operating as a slot receiver and/or tight end.
Smith and Bynum also better mind their Ps and Qs on the back end. Because just when those safeties start creeping up to prepare for Hill in the run game, Carmichael will send speedster receiver Rashid Shaheed deep and take his shot vertically through the air — just like in 2019 when Hill uncorked a 50-yard bomb on Smith and the Vikings’ defense in the Wild Card playoff game.
Make no mistake about it, Hill is one hell of a football player. One day, he’ll get the appreciation that he deserves for being able to impact the game in so many different ways both offensively and on special teams. But for now, folks have no choice but to get their jokes off about Hill despite him being one of the best weapons currently in the league. Minnesota’s ability to slow him down on Sunday will be a major key for the Vikings to record their fifth-straight win.
