Fansided

5 players the Saints need to play well to beat Packers

By Aryanna Prasad

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Alvin Kamara. 3. player. 15. . Running Back. New Orleans Saints

Ever since he was drafted in 2017, there have been three players propelling the Saints into the playoffs every season since: Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara.

Kamara’s necessity in this offense cannot be overstated. Before he joined the team, the Saints hadn’t made the playoffs since 2013. Brees had been their since 2006, and Thomas was drafted in 2016. Kamara was the key to continued playoff success, and he helped the make the Saints one of the most dominant teams in NFL.

What makes Kamara special is his utility as a running back: while he’s not a bruising type, he is capable of deftly weaving through the pass rush for yards upon yards. But what makes Kamara invaluable to this team’s success is his catching ability, a trait that carried a waning Brees offense to the playoffs.

Last season, Kamara rushed on 187 carries for 932 yards and caught 83 receptions for 756 yards — that’s 1,688 yards of advancing the offense.

Kamara is the only tried and true weapon remaining on the Saints offense, so his value during this quarterback transition is what could make or break this team. Winston may be used to Arians’ aerial assault-style offense, but with Kamara in the backfield, this team is going to toss — and ultimately, that’s how it’s going to win.

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