Saints' sensational running backs creating nightmares for opposing defenses
New Orleans has the best running back situation in the NFL.
Teams such as Pittsburgh and Dallas have elite single players at the position, while the Patriots and Eagles get outstanding running back production from a multitude of sources. But it's the Saints who feature the top situation at this position in the league right now, and the combination of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara is a huge reason why New Orleans has been so successful this year.
Over the last five games, the pair has averaged an insane 248.6 yards from scrimmage with the Saints only losing to the Rams during that stretch.
These two aren't just your typical individual talents, as perhaps their greatest strength is their combined versatility and ability to complement one another. Ingram is known as a between-the-tackles power runner and he excels in that area, but he can also attack the edges and is a force in the passing game as well. And on Sunday, he showed his big-play ability by getting loose for a season-high 72-yard run.
While his first few seasons in the league were defined by inconsistency, Ingram has been a constant in the Saints backfield for some time now. And to his credit, he keeps getting better and better each season. Over the past six seasons, Ingram has averaged 4.3 yards per carry or better, and he has pushed that number to an outstanding 5.1 yards per rush in both the 2016 season and this current one.
As far as pass-catching goes, Ingram isn’t a sophisticated route-runner, but he has become reliable and highly productive in this capacity. Over his last 40 games, the running back has caught 138 passes - compared to just 53 receptions in his first 50 games.
Kamara, on the other hand, has tons of breakaway ability and is considered more of a receiver and outside runner. But he is also extremely difficult to get on the ground and keeps getting better at running on the interior. He has truly become a machine, churning out yardage at an incredible rate, both through the air and on the ground.
Per Pro Football Focus, there have been 317 instances of a running back recording at least 75 carries and 50 receptions in a single season since the NFL merger (1970). Of these, Kamara’s 2017 season ranks: first in yards per touch (8.42), first in yards per carry (7.05), and first in touchdowns per touch (0.08).
However, Kamara didn’t come bursting out of the gate this season. He had just 83 rushing yards in his first four games, with both Ingram and veteran Adrian Peterson ahead of him on the depth chart. But the departure of Peterson meant more touches for Kamara, and he has taken full advantage of the added workload and is now clearly the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. In fact, New Orleans is getting more from their rookie class than any team in the league and should bring home both the Offensive and Defensive (Marshon Lattimore) Rookie of the Year trophies ... but that's an article for another time.
The fact is that Kamara is quickly becoming one of the most difficult players in football to tackle. He has exceptional vision and balance, which allows him to avoid huge hits while still keeping his feet moving forward for positive yardage. And of course, he has the ability to accelerate away from tacklers before they ever get a chance to wrap him up.
He's still developing as a receiver, but has seemingly unlimited potential, and as mentioned above, is a better interior runner than many realize. Kamara seems to be improving every week in all capacities and has looked unstoppable in his last four performances. Is it possible the best is yet to come?
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
It also has to be noted that New Orleans' offensive line is as good as any in football. This is an organization that has always made it a priority to put premium resources into its front five, including the addition of first-rounder Ryan Ramczyk.
That strong play is clearly paying off for everyone involved, but Ingram and Kamara also do a great job of creating yardage on their own. These two get a lot of production after contact while rarely being stopped behind the line of scrimmage.
The Saints' stable of running backs is almost always among the leaders in receptions from the position. Sean Payton uses his backs in the passing game as well as any offensive mind in the league, and quarterback Drew Brees is a master of moving them around the formation to create mismatches based on what the defense is giving him.
With Ingram and Kamara dominating, less is being asked of Brees. That isn’t to say this future Hall of Famer is now a “game manager,” but unlike past seasons in New Orleans, Brees doesn’t have to do it all himself. Ultra competitive, but also often cursed with a dreadful defense, Brees has gone to the air throughout his career more than quarterbacks should have to.
While massive stats and deserved accolades have followed, Brees also has turned the ball over more in the process.
This year, while Brees’ passing attempts are down from his norm and he doesn’t drive the ball like he once did, the quarterback's interception numbers are way down as well - he has actually thrown for his lowest interception rate of his entire career at 1.2 percent. That obviously helps Brees from an individual perspective, but the change in style has also made the Saints a better team, as has having a respectable defense.
Brees has thrown for 269 yards or less on seven occasions this year, and the Saints are 6-1 and have averaged over 33 points per game in those contests. Now, there were some defensive scores in there, but nonetheless, that's remarkable when considering the massive producer Brees has been throughout his outstanding career.
The Saints have truly experienced a shift, from their quarter slinging the ball all over the field in wild shootouts, to letting their two running backs and improved defense control the game. And they haven't missed a beat.
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast." Find him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.