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Alvin Kamara MVP Watch: Why the back should have a seat at the table

By Nathan Beighle

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 04: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his catch for the first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 4, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 04: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his catch for the first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 4, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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The NFL’s Most Valuable Player hasn’t been a running back since 2012. The New Orleans Saints’ Alvin Kamara is looking to change that, and he has a case.

The New Orleans Saints are 3-2 this season. They have trailed in every game this season and were down double digits in the first half of two of their three victories. That said, Alvin Kamara is a huge reason they’ve been able to climb out of those holes.

Last season, it was Michael Thomas creating all the headlines while Kamara was injured and not playing at 100 percent. With Thomas having been out since Week 1 and potentially still dealing with a lingering high-ankle injury, Kamara has been the Saints’ stud.

He’s been absolutely incredible, proving he’s worth every penny of his new, high-value contract. So far through the five games, Kamara has 281 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

His yards rank 24th in the NFL, also considering some players has an extra game under their belt. That’s not what’s most impressive though. Kamara has also totaled 395 receiving yards and three more touchdowns.

He had six touchdowns all last season and already has seven to kick-off 2020. The Saints have just over 20 touchdowns as a team, meaning Kamara, as a running back, has almost accounted for half.

Despite having far fewer targets than those ahead of him, Kamara still has the fifth-most receiving yards in the NFL heading into Week 6 (he’s now at 11th most in the league following Week 6, the Saints’ bye week).

While Russell Wilson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and others do have a say in the debate for MVP, there is no Lamar Jackson runaway.

Jackson’s been great in Baltimore, but he hasn’t been imperative to the team’s success as Kamara has, especially given the Ravens offense locked down Cincinnati to a mere three points last week.

With weapons in Kansas City and Seattle, there’s a case to be made that Kamara’s had a bigger impact on the offense than a good bit of these quarterbacks that have top-tier targets and backs opposing coordinators have to prepare for.

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It’s unlikely Kamara gets much headway for the crown, but he should have a say in the fight for MVP.

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