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New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Taysom Hill sparks Saints offense

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/10/22

On a team with a Heisman Trophy-winning running back (Mark Ingram) and another who is one of the most electrifying players in the league (Alvin Kamara), the New Orleans Saints' current leading rusher is tight end Taysom Hill.

For a season that hasn't gotten off to the start anyone within the organization anticipated, Hill's status as the team's leading rusher is emblematic of its need to find offense in the unlikeliest of places as it attempt to get things going on that side of the football.

Hill is averaging a staggering 10.9 yards per rush attempt, totaling 228 yards on 21 carries.

Per Football Database, 61 percent of Hill's rushing attempts have resulted in a first down. His 30 points scored in 2022 is the most by any Saint and is a quarter of the team's entire scoring output this season.

He had his best game as a member of the Saints on Sunday, running nine times for 119 yards and three touchdowns as well as completing his only throw for a touchdown. The team scored four touchdowns on the 10 offensive plays Hill touched the football.

Per ESPN Stats and Info: The Saints averaged 12.5 yards per play Sunday when Taysom Hill either took the snap or threw the pass. The Saints scored 4 of their 5 offensive TD with Hill taking the snap, and picked up a 1st down on 9 of 11 plays.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 9, 2022

His performance drew praise from the team's star wide receiver Michael Thomas and those who cover the team.

TAYSOM HILL WOW
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) October 9, 2022

I have no words for what Taysom Hill is doing today.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 9, 2022

Taysom Hill leads the Saints with 228 rushing yards, has a better kickoff return average (23.0) than Deonte Harty (22.8), is 1 for 1 passing w/a TD & perfect 158.3 passer rating and is tied for 4th in the NFL w/5 TDs.

As Adam Trautman said, there's no player in the NFL like him.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) October 10, 2022

Hill hasn't been the only unlikely leader to emerge, however. Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave was expected to take a backseat to veteran wide receivers Thomas and Jarvis Landry. Injuries to Thomas (foot) and Landry (ankle) have propelled Olave to collect the most receptions and receiving yards for the Saints so far this season. Unfortunately, Olave wasn't able to finish Sunday's game after suffering a concussion against the Seahawks. His status heading into the team's next game against the Bengals is in question.

The team has also looked better on offense the past two weeks than it had the previous three weeks. During the first three weeks of the season, the Saints scored 51 points, an average of 17 points per game. In their two most recent games, the Saints have scored 64 points, an average of 32 points per game.

The uptick in production has coincided with quarterback Andy Dalton taking the reins while the team's other quarterback, Jameis Winston, heals from ankle and back injuries. Despite being responsible for two turnovers in his two games as a starter, Dalton has been better taking care of the football than his predecessor. On Sunday, he led a Saints offense to its highest point total since Christmas Day 2020 when the Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings 52-33.

Nothing about the Saints season has made much sense so far. That the offense looked the best it has in nearly two years on Sunday with a quarterback who's on his fourth team in four seasons, a rookie wide receiver and a tight end leading it in rushing yards drives home how futile it is to predict what's next for these Saints.

Hill provided a spark for the Saints on Sunday. It will be up to the rest of the team to make sure the flame stays lit.

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